Roped in at the Rodeo
I met a guy when I wasn’t looking to meet a guy. I was innocently walking around Cheyenne Frontier Days when I got roped, literally, by a 3-year-old kid walking behind me. I felt the rope come over my boot-clad ankle, then heard a giggle.
I turned around and saw a cute kid in a cowboy hat holding the end of the rope. Next to him was a laughing older gentleman who hollered, “Look Tripp, you caught her!” He stuck his arm out, pointed ahead, and said “There’s my son, he’s a cowboy about your age…you should go say hi.”
I looked ahead and sure enough a guy in his 30’s had a slightly amused grin on his face, and I immediately noticed his blue eyes under his cowboy hat from 5o feet away.
Glancing over at my friend, Alison, we smiled knowingly at each other…this guy was cute.
We picked up the pace and walked up to the cowboy. He had a dimpled grin and was walking toward to barn to water his roping horse. We asked if we could meet his horse and he said sure.
After watching him fill water buckets for his pretty roan gelding named “Roan”, we mosied to the horse trailer where other rodeo contestants and kids were practicing roping.
The cowboy gave me a roping lesson and I learned he’s a professional steer roper. He showed me how to rope the fake horns on a hay bale while Alison watched approvingly.
When we left the fairgrounds that day, the cowboy, Luke, and I exchanged phone numbers. I knew I wanted to see him again.
Fast forward a month later, I have been to Texas, he has come to Colorado, and it’s been a helluva ride so far.
Sweating in the humidity of the northeastern Texas summer heat, I learned they do things much differently in the Lone Star State.
Cowboys don’t ride for leisure, they ride for work. They ride to win roping competitions so they can pay their truck payments. They travel from rodeo to rodeo, then come home to the ranch, and work like dogs to brush hog the weeds from taking over the pastures.
Luke has opened my eyes to new things.
He’s taught me how to deworm heifers and yearlings, shoot a 223 rifle and hit clay disks, keep my toes down in the stirrups while swinging a rope on the back of a horse, and how to effectively herd cattle without yelling “yeehaw”. (I was getting cows worked up with my enthusiastic hootin’ and hollerin’.)
Patiently, and with a smile, he showed me another way.
Conversely, I’ve opened Luke’s eyes to new things; I’ve taught him what gelato is, how to order an Uber cab, introduced him to his first comedy show, and what the breakaway rubber bands on English stirrups are for.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had someone teach me new things and ride outside my comfort zone. I like it, and I like him. There’s excitement in not knowing what’s ahead on this long distance trail and I’m happy I got roped in.
Heads Texas, Tails Colorado,
Devon
I love this. Girl moves to the city, still finds a cowboy ????
Thx for sharing!
Wendy, I know, right? What is the Universe trying to tell me? Thanks for your comment 🙂
We enjoyed having you visit the Lone Star State. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Would love to take you yoyo fishing on the river! I loved your sweet article about meeting my son.
Trina, thank you for your wonderful hospitality and I’d love to go yoyo fishing next time…no idea how to do it but I’m eager to learn. Let me know when you come out with your cooking book, I want to buy it!
Devon, yoyo fishing and Cajun cooking 101….????
Trina, count me in!
Just when I was wondering where your love life was at, you post this! Thanks, Devon. He’s adorable, and the two of you look good together. I like a man who can teach you things and is as willing to learn from you as to teach. Very nice. And your experience gives a woman hope when it comes to giving up. 🙂
Timing is everything, Melanie and I’m glad you found hope in my story. I agree when it comes to a man teaching us news things as well as being teachable…definitely a two-way street in this case which is a great thing. I appreciate your comment and go to a rodeo soon!
This is so great Devon! Good for you girl! Yeehaw!
Thanks, Ashley….we need to catch up soon, I want to hear what’s going on with you! XO
I always love to hear your stories!
Thanks, Lisa! I love sharing them 🙂
Tough livin, good lovin. Thanks for sharing. As always your adventures are inspiring.
Nadi, I love that…”Touch livin, good loving.” On point. I appreciate your comment and thanks for following along on the adventure, fellow horsewoman.
Man, oh man, girl! I’m happy for you. I guess I better attend the Ellensburg, WA Rodeo. lol
Vonie, yes you better attend that rodeo. Go where you feel called to go, that’s all I’m sayin’! Thanks for reading 🙂
Isn’t life an exciting adventure? I’m so happy for you, Devon. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes you. <3
Thanks, Lyn! Life is definitely an adventure and I’ve learned it’s not about the destination as much as what we learn on the ride there. Stay tuned, and I appreciate your comment 🙂
Yeah so excited. I just find out about him and now get to read more about it. Think it’s awesome he is a roper. I have always wanted to try and have the cutest cowboy that will need to learn sooner or later. 🙂 so happy for you. It’s tails..Colorado wow what a journey the last year has been for both of us plus T”s gotta learn to ride on Playboy.
Hey Rachel, we might be able to arrange some roping lessons for you and Traxton…I can definitely picture him holding a little rope during his next photo session at the ranch 🙂 Indeed, what a journey this past year has been on all levels! Good to acknowledge where we have been and where we are today. Thanks for your sweet comment, XO
I’m surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Does it mean you’re going to leave Colorado?
Hey Lynette, I’m still in Colorado and enjoying visiting Texas. The horses and I miss you! Come see us soon, Playboy has been asking about you.
Lovely story. You sound very happy my friend. Keep us posted.
Thanks, Terri! Will do 🙂