I am honored to have my friend, Teresa, guest blogging about raising a family in the North Dakota oil boom today. This is the real life, real story of the impact of the oil boom on a family. The first story I shared was about Teresa, her husband, Weston and their four children in Life in the North Dakota Oil Boom: Ranching remains. My favorite quote Weston shared was: “I would rather have an American come to North Dakota for a job in this oil boom than be an American solider in the Middle East fighting for oil in a war and possibly losing their life for oil on foreign ground. That man or woman, instead of having to fight for oil overseas, can have a job here, make money and whether they choose to stay here or not, is up to them. They can make money and return to their home or they can make money and build a new life here.”
Now here are Teresa’s words on how she chose to make her life in North Dakota and is raising a family in the middle of the oil boom.
When I agreed to marry my then boyfriend 8 years ago I was working in the least populated county in North Dakota. It has 2 towns, one of which is the smallest county seat in the nation. The county’s population was somewhere around 760 people with just over 300 households in the county. It is considered vacant by most standards in that it has less than 1 person per square mile.
It isn’t vacant. I know. I worked there after completing my graduate degree and met many of the people living there over the course of two years. The people support each other and come together when it matters. I learned much about the west river North Dakota way of life by working with the people of Slope County.
We don’t live in Slope County, but the west river North Dakota way was prominent in the county where we settled down to take over the ranch where my husband was raised. This way of life was different than what I grew up with in central Wisconsin. I learned to appreciate it. I was committed to this way of life. I was committed to raising a family here.
The people are farmers and ranchers.
They believe in tradition.
They are solid.
People are friendly.
People help each other out.
People wave.
The normal we knew does not exist anymore. On most days there are more out-of-state license plates at Wal-Mart than North Dakota plates. My husband and I have struggled with the thought that our children’s “normal” will be so much different than what we expected when we got married just 7 years ago.
Although this isn’t the environment I thought my children would be growing up in, there are positives. And some things have not changed.
We know now what to expect from the influx of out-of-state workers and I must say that most have come to respect the ranchers that made their living here before them.
And while this is not the same lifestyle I thought I would be raising our family in 7 years ago.
We still are farmers and ranchers.
We still believe in tradition.
We are solid.
We are friendly.
We help each other out.
And I may still even wave at you.
Thank you to Teresa and Weston for allowing me the opportunity to share their stories. I also highly recommend you listen to a radio interview from Consumer Ag Connection with Weston and Teresa.
Our way of life is changing in North Dakota. Our quality of life remains. Our economy is bringing a future to families. Our oil is giving freedom to Americans. I am grateful every day for freedom.
God bless them and their family. and all of N Dakota affected by this boom.
Good Job Teresa!!!!!! Love Angie
What a great blog post! I know the North Dakota oil fields have meant changes not only in North Dakota, but in small-town communities like where I live in Iowa too. We have several men from our area that are trucking in North Dakota and come home once a week every few months and we just had a family move up to Watford City. They love the community there.
Good luck and God Bless to Teresa, Weston and their family, and so many other other families living in the mix of the oil boom.
Theresa, nice post. Prayers for you, and your family, during this time of change for your community.
This story touched my heart. My son moved to Williston in March to start a new life-get some solid footing in his future life. He had a college friend from Williston as a mentor on his move and lifestyle. Our son is a farm kid so he shares the rural way of life and values that you want for your children. My husband and I traveled out there (from western MN) back in June to to get a grasp on the situation-a see for ourselves trip. So when I hear people complaining, groaning and moaning about the happenings out there I try to diffuse their emotions with my own and that our our son’s positive emotions about it.
ps…we also got the chance to watch the Medora Musical performance. Boy does that want install pride and make you want to become of citizen of ND!
What a great story and kudos to Theresa and her family for taking the positive and trying to make the most of the challenges of ranching near the oil fields.
I grew up in Slope County and know exactly the way of life that she speaks of…it is most certainly something to treasure.
Wonderful thoughts! Makes one stop and think not to mention shed a tear! Appreciate insight and first hand experience and the ability to be positive and thankful! AMAZING!!
Excellent story and positive outlook on change.