Finding a Mate Got You Buffaloed?

That was the title of a Farm Journal magazine article published in August of 1984. It was written by Meg Gaige, who was addressing the fact that many young farm singles were having a hard time finding mates. Long hours in the fields, rural farming areas where it can be somewhat isolated and some small communities where the pickings are slim, all contribute to this difficulty. Meg proposed that singles send her a 50 word description of themselves and she would compile the names and distribute a completed list when available. 

My Mom was 33, working at the ASCS office (Agricultural and Conservation) in SW Ohio, and had grown up on a farm all her life. 

My Dad was 32, working as a dairy farmer in NW Ohio, where he was born and raised. 

Neither one was currently seeing anyone, and yet they each wanted to spend the rest of their life with someone special. 

Mom found the article mentioned above, laid out on her desk by a co-worker, when she got to work one morning. She wasn't so sure about this-she didn't want every Tom, Dick or Harry reading about her. But, after a few days deliberation, she sent off her name.

And proceeded to wait. 

And wait.

And wait.

It wasn't until 10 months later, she received a 56 page magazine style "catalog" completely full of men's names.

My Dad also received a similarly thick compilation of women's names. 

Meg Gaige explained in a cover letter she had received more than 2,700 names, which forced them to split up the men from women's names for a suitable mailing size. 

She closed the letter saying, 

"It's been fun getting to know so many of you. And I hope you'll let me know what happens."

What happened next was the exchanging of letters, many letters, for farmers and farm-loving singles all across America. 

My Mom and Dad being among the many. They corresponded weekly, met in person not long afterwards, and kept up their relationship through phone conversations and weekend visits. 

They were married February 15th, 1986, about a year and a half from the time they had sent their personal descriptions in to Farm Journal magazine. 

This week marks 37 years of their wedded life; with all the joys, good times and hard, laughter, and memories created along the way. 

I for one, am forever grateful to Farm Journal magazine, for connecting the two farmers who became my parents. The way they met was unconventional and certainly made for great story telling material whenever someone innocently asked, "And how did you two meet?" I've got the story memorized now and it is fun to look back on how God worked to bring them together.

So, Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! And thank you Meg Gaige for setting them up!