Back to my Roots

Apr 17, 2018

If you've been following for a while, you know that me and the Cattleman are engaged and are planning our wedding for this August. We currently live 50+ miles apart and both own homes. mine -in a subdivision in the suburbs of St. Louis, his - a 53 acre cattle farm.

We are now in the process of consolidating, and since you can't move a herd of cattle to a subdivision, I'll be selling my home and re-locating to the farm. I'm excited to be there on the farm with him, be close to my family and spread out a bit on the land.  I have posted bits here and there about all this, but wanted to dedicate a post to this topic. It seems like a fitting time to post as my home hits the real estate market this week. You can catch all posts regarding the move, that I have dubbed back to my roots, here.


My roots
I grew up in a small town with a population of 200. My family lives on a small farm and my Dad always had a full-time job but farmed on the side (mainly livestock, no crops). I enjoyed this lifestyle growing up, but I was definitely eager to get away when I graduated high school. I couldn't wait to go see bigger cities (it doesn't take much to top that) and I stayed in the St. Louis area upon graduating college. I didn't really see myself moving back. I loved my city days and being able to experience local events and spots close by.

However, the older I got, and the more my family experienced, I began to see the appeal in living in a rural area. I wanted my someday kids to have the same lifestyle I did growing up, but figured I'd make that move once I was ready to "settle down". When I purchased my home back in 2015, I bought a home further West from the city and closer to my family (but still 50+ miles from my hometown). I knew it was a stopping point, but liked that it was still close to work/the city and a bit closer to my family (and really close to extended family). Fast forward about 10 months...I met the Cattleman and our relationship showed instant signs of being one that would be around for the long haul. He grew up in a nearby town and had purchased land in my hometown. It all kind of made me shake my head..and most of my friends and family too, as they knew I was the girl who wanted out of the country.

Back to my roots
So, here I am...2 years later..prepping to marry my love and move back to my roots- this time to a larger chunk of land, right off of a gravel road, a farm full of cattle and one where we have plans to start our next chapter & family. It will require some adapting, but boy am I looking forward to this next chapter. We will be living in his home that he built on the land, which is actually a shouse..for those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, it's a shed + house. These are pretty common out in the country..When someone buys a chunk of land and has the cost of putting in a well and septic + the cost of the land, they cut some initial costs by building their big shed/barn, but add living space in it.. His living space is a 1,200 sq ft space with 2 beds, 2 baths, an eat-in kitchen and living room + laundry room. So, that's where our next chapter together will begin. 

Home Sweet Shouse - Here it is. It actually has a lot of potential and I have many ideas for making it a cozy farmhouse for us.

So, here goes nothing! It's all happening. The Cattleman and I keep saying -- "We're doing this!"
Once my home sells, I'll be heading out West. I'm eager to take this blog of mine (that will be getting a re-brand) along for the ride. Cheers!

10 comments

  1. Eek! Excited to watch this new chapter unfold!

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  2. Ah, I love this post. So much excitement! I can't wait to follow along on your journey. The county we're moving to is much more rural than where I grew up, and while it's not a small town logistically, there are many farms and other aspects that give it that "small town" feel. I went to college in downtown Chicago and have always been a self-proclaimed city girl (and still very, very much love it!), but as soon as my boyfriend was hired as part of this town's police department, I was quickly bitten by the small town bug. I feel the same way as you, that as we get older things definitely shift in our lives, and I'm excited to see where these moves take both of us!

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    1. Thanks for the sweet words. Aw love that - "the small town bug" - Can't wait to follow along on your journey!

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  3. New here, and have to say... I think that your move is going to be AWESOME! I'm kind of envious! I live in a large suburban town of 96,000 and I've been here my whole life, but I want so badly to live in a small town out in the country. We're thinking of moving in a few years about 30 minutes away. Not nearly as small as 200, but smaller than 96,000. My commute will go from 5 minutes to 30, but I think it'll be worth it! I will live vicariously through you in the meantime. ;)

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    1. Hey - thanks for popping in. I think it will be awesome too and love your positivity! You should definitely make the move!

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  4. This is seriously so exciting! Congrats to both of you!

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  5. Wow! What a move. Weird question but will the move take you out of MO? I live in Illinois about half way between STL and Chicago. Second question, how long of a commute will it be for you each day to work? Are you nervous about commuting so far?

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    1. Hi there- Nope, I will still be in MO. It will be 60 miles one way and I am indeed nervous but set on maintaining a positive mindset!

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