I think it's safe to say that the first year on a ranch was a bit of a culture shock for me. The freezing temps, feeding cows, four feet of snow, and rancher-tan face with a white forehead had taken its toll on my Psyche. I looked like a short chubby boy every day of this winter. I even tromped around our local watering hole in snow boots and coveralls on a Friday night. I've never been a "wear make-up everyday" kind of girl, but seriously, I was beginning to think I'd forget how to put it on in the first place.
Then it was February. I started to protest. I warned my husband that our first Valentine's Day as a married couple was not going to involve coveralls and old man rancher hats! We still had to feed of course, but the evening was to be romantic. A couple of days before the big event, I drug the Cowboy into town to find some shoes. We went in and out of several stores (small town=not much selection), but found nothing to match my outfit that I'd been saving for just such an occasion.
Then finally in the thrift store, I found them! A pair of silver high heels (very very high) that had criss-cross straps over the toes and one delicate strap around the ankle. Terribly inappropriate shoes for February in Gunnison, CO. However, they were also terribly cute, sexy and wonderfully girlie. They were just what I needed to give me a boost in the middle of a long winter and an even longer ranch experience (little did I know the worst calving season ever lay ahead of me!).
The 14th was finally here. Everything was fed and taken care of. I was in the bathroom for the longest time trying to remember how to apply make-up, curl hair, and otherwise appear womanly. I had to wear my snow boots to the truck and strap on the silver girl shoes once we were on pavement. I waited out of fear of getting stuck and having to shovel or push the truck.
We stopped at the local watering hole since our dinner reservations weren't until later. Several of our friends were doing the same. I put my coat down next to the Cowboy and headed for the ladies room. While I was gone, the Cowboy got quite the earful. He was grilled by everyone around him. "Where's your wife?" "What do you think you're doing, out with another woman?" "I can't believe you'd do something like this!"
When I came back, everyone was normal. The Cowboy told me to talk or do something to convince everyone that I was in fact his wife. I wasn't sure if this was to be taken as a compliment or not. Was I so ugly before as a short chubby boy clad in carharts? At least I knew that the whole town would stand up for me if the Cowboy tried anything funny! HA! I guess the girl shoes had served their purpose. I in fact looked like a girl, so much so, that I was unrecognizable.
We went on to our reservations after everyone had a good laugh at the wife mix up. Dinner was wonderful and we still talk about the 7 layer chocolate cake. My toes were half frozen and bright red by the time we got home. The Cowboy had to help me to the door since I didn't feel like putting on my snow boots just to go from the truck to our front door. I kept sinking in the snow. It didn't matter though, they were cute and made me feel like a girl.
Many years later, I didn't get any girl shoes this time around. I guess I've settled into being a ranch wife a little more. When we went to dinner, I did however have all the blingy jewelry I own on, make-up done, and hair curled and fixed. I wore my boots and they were much more comfortable and warm. My toes thanked me. =)
