Le Jardin de ma Vie: Day 26: Finding common ground

I'm an introvert. Really.

When I was a kid I was really shy. In high school and college, once my self-confidence caught up, I learned to act like an extrovert. It takes effort and I do a pretty good job, I think. I can work a room. I've gotten comfortable being in the spotlight. I've discovered that it can be fun, but I also find it exhausting.

In order to recharge, I need quiet alone time. That may be one reason I love my 45 minute daily commute so much. After being 'on' all day, I get some time by myself to think and reflect. The older I get, the more I need this.

My farmer, on the other hand, he thrives in groups and he loves to talk, especially about farming. It may be because he spends large parts of his days alone. It's definitely because he loves what he does. Regardless, we make a good team.

In 2011, I starting working with a business school in Spain. My farmer tagged along on my initial site visit. We spent the first day with my client contact doing some site seeing. We drove about an hour to the Mediterranean Sea.

My farmer and my client talked the entire time - there and back. He learned all about my client's family apricot farm, the Spanish economy, and the region's agriculture.

I enjoyed listening. I learned a lot about my client and it took the pressure off of me.

I was thankful that through his love of farming, people, and talking, he was able to find common ground with a new friend half way around the world.

Finding common ground- One of the 30 reasons why I love being my farmer's wife.

Stay tuned for the 4 other things I love about my life on the farm and 4 more things that converted this Sycamore girl into a small town girl:).

And, check out my friend Holly's blog and the list of the other 30 day bloggers at 30 Days on a Prairie Farm.

Day 1: Grandma Millie

Day 2: My clean car

Day 3: He's helped me be more flexible

Day 4: Our little church

Day 5: His servant heart

Day 6: Farmer humor

Day 7: The first weekend in December - friends, food, & Farm Bureau
Day 8: His fourth grade girlfriend

Day 9: A community that respects those who served
Day 10: He put up my squirrel house
Day 11: Pickup games