Love Affair with the Amish

Every year around our anniversary, my dear husband and I have a little getaway to ourselves, to celebrate our marriage. We usually take turns planning it—one year he plans it, the next year I do. Sometimes we go nearby; other times we travel quite a distance. Occasionally, we’ve waited several months beyond our anniversary, and one year, we brought along a nursing baby…but no matter what, we try to never miss having this trip together, and it is a highlight which we both look forward to every year.

This year was Mark’s turn to do the planning. Knowing my love for Amish culture and all things country, he planned a very special and enjoyable getaway to one of the largest Amish communities, in the heart of Holmes County, Ohio.

Along the journey, there were a couple of delightful pauses. One was at an antique mall, for a couple of hours of browsing. We found great old theology books and a cast iron frying pan in terrific condition!

I’ve got coffee in hand, and I’m ready to browse!

After a delicious lunch, we drove to Lehman’s, an awesome general store that caters to the Amish and others without electricity.

One could get lost here for hours, just looking at everything! More cast iron cookware, along with several other gift items, were purchased while we were here.

When we arrived to our final spot, I was delighted with our accommodations! My hubby had rented a lovely, peaceful cabin, nestled among trees with a view of a quiet pond.

Here’s the outside…

…and a view of the cozy interior.

The quiet porch was perfect for early morning devotions.

Throughout the weekend, we did a lot of sightseeing and soaking up of Amish and Mennonite culture. One highlight was visiting an Amish Farm and Village, where we toured a home and chatted with a delightful Old Order Amish woman named Alma.

Posing with my sweetie in the central room of the Amish house. This room was large enough to accommodate a church service, since the Amish hold services in their homes.

This was part of the kitchen in the Dawdi Haus, which is basically an attached home reserved for a couple’s aging parents. No such thing as nursing homes in the Amish world—retired parents are taken care of by their grown children or grandchildren.

I would love six burners on my stove!

Not exactly a Moen, but quite handsome nonetheless.

The dress on the left is an Amish wedding dress. It is similar in style and color to a girl’s everyday dress, but the material would be of finer quality.

After touring the house, we strolled around the surrounding farm area. This friendly llama, along with several goats, was not bashful about begging for food.

The back side of the Amish house.

As traditionally Amish as this home was, I admit I was a bit surprised at the somewhat shabby exterior. A good paint job was needed, as was some roof repair. As I chatted with Alma and asked questions, she shared that some difficult changes have occurred in their community and way of life, mainly due to economic reasons. No longer do Amish families live mainly as farmers there. Most of them work in outside businesses like carpentry, furniture making, retail, etc., and this has to some degree fractured their families. The fathers are gone all day from the homes—and from what I could tell from visiting local shops and restaurants, so are many of the women and young people.

“I would give anything to go back to the way things were when I was young,” she said. “But now, many of our young people don’t even want to be farmers. They think it’s too hard.” Perhaps this change of employment for the typical Amish man would explain the somewhat neglected appearance of this home’s exterior. And as the Amish interact more and more with their English neighbors, other changes can be seen…such as the one we witnessed as we drove down a country road that day. Toward us came an Amish buggy, driven by a young Amish man, riding alone. He held the horse’s reins with one hand…while texting with the other!

Overall, though, we had a wonderful, enjoyable, educational trip together, my bridegroom and I. I’m so thankful he planned it for us! Thanks, babe…and happy anniversary!