When you look around a family, you quickly realize how much a simple hat can reveal about a person’s life, history, and where they have been. We all wear different hats throughout our lives, whether they sit visibly on our heads or rest quietly in our hearts. They signify who we are, what we have accomplished, and the values that shaped us.
My own story began with an Air Force family. Growing up in a military household, rank, uniform, and the hats service members wore defined our daily world. I developed a deep respect for that structured way of life and the grit required to move upward through the ranks. That legacy continued when both of my children chose to serve: my son entered the Marines, and my daughter joined the Air Force. Seeing them in their hats on graduation day was a powerful moment. Those hats represented everything they had earned through dedication and discipline, marking the beginning of their next chapters.
Later, as I began my career as a nurse, I proudly put on a hat of my own. Back when I started, nurses wore traditional white caps alongside crisp white uniforms. Over the years, the classic headwear phased out, and the all-white attire gradually gave way to more colorful scrubs. Yet, the sense of purpose behind the uniform never changed.
So, how does any of this connect to life here at Erickson Ranch?
While working as a nurse, I met and married a farmer. If you asked me back then whether I knew anything about farming, the honest answer was a resounding no. I had virtually no concept of what it took to be a farmer’s wife, nor did I foresee how entirely different this new world would be.
A farmer wears a very distinct hat, one built on resilience, patience, and constant adaptation. Transitioning into agriculture taught me that farming is not just a job; it is a full lifestyle that presents a continuous learning experience every single day. Looking back on the journey from military bases to hospital hallways, and finally to the fields of the ranch, I wear my current hat with immense pride.