Before You Date a Cowboy

Before you date a cowboy, you should know that he lives an hour from town. When you go to visit him (since he won't have time to come visit you), you might get lost the first couple times on account of the awesome directions he gave you. You're not sure where you are, and now his phone is either dead or he doesn't have service. You eventually make it there, though.
Before you date a cowboy, realize that he lives with two other cowboys and none of them grocery shop or clean. You may end up cleaning their house and cooking for them when you visit.
When you drive three hours to visit your cowboy, any plans you may have had for the two of you will most definitely go out the window. You will end up shoeing horses late into the night or pulling a calf at 3 am.
Before you date a cowboy, you should know that he will expect you to be able to saddle your own horse and keep up. He will probably send you off by yourself to "get those cows a couple draws over and kick them down to the bottom. I will go this way and meet you with more cows." Be aware that he will not show up with his cows for quite some time. Don't worry though, he ended up riding a lot farther than he told you. It's best to sit and wait with your cows so you don't lose them. Or get lost yourself.
When you all finally end up back at the truck after what was supposed to be "a quick little ride" there won't be water. You should ALWAYS bring your own. And extra for everyone else.
Don't expect to get his undivided attention when you go to work with him. He has a job to do and assumes you are there to help. Don't be offended if he yells at you. He will probably apologize later.
Before you date a cowboy, I will tell you that he dances to the beat of his own drum. If you want to be part of his life, you have to learn to be super flexible with your plans. He will not be on time for anything but a roping.
Before you date a cowboy, know that the most valuable thing he can give to you is his time. If he takes time out of his day for you, or comes along to this or that family party for you when he'd rather be at that branding he was supposed to go to this weekend, he really cares.
He will probably be afraid of his feelings, and leave you wondering. However, his actions will show you how he feels. He will pick his gentlest horse for you. He will buy you Denny's in town after a long day. He will drive to meet you halfway and take you to a movie when he gets that occasional day off.
Girl, he may not act like he notices all the little things you do, like leaving little notes when you go back home. Or washing the dishes at the bunkhouse. Or doing a little bit of grocery shopping on your way out to see him. Or not complaining at all when you're dead tired, hot, and dusty from your latest "date". Keep it up though, all those things get him thinking you might be more than girlfriend material.
Before you date a cowboy, know that you have to be tough if you want to be in it for the long run. If you stick with him long enough, you will see what an amazing man he is. You'll see that he's the sweetest person you've ever met. You'll realize how big of a heart he has and that he actually has tender feelings. Be careful with his heart and be faithful to him, and you will have a life and a love like you've never known.
These are just some of the things you should know, before you date a cowboy.