Langreck: Lasting friendships grown on the farm

I grew up in the agriculture industry. To this day, I am grateful for my parents giving me that opportunity.

Over the years, I truly learned the importance of the gift my parents gave me growing up around agriculture and being able to participate in several youth programs, showing livestock and having a sense of knowing exactly where my food comes from.

For me, growing up in agriculture led me to having a career in the industry and a passion for spreading the importance of 4-H and FFA.

I have traveled to many towns throughout Indiana over the years and have had the ability to meet many amazing individuals during that time. One of those people is Roger Wenning, who resides in Greensburg and has embraced the use of cover crops and what they can do for soil health.

I’ve worked with Roger and have known him and his family for quite some time. A few years ago, my bond with the family grew stronger when we realized we both shared a connection through having young children with medical issues.

My youngest daughter, Reagan, who is now 4, but at the time was not quite 1, was undergoing a struggle, which she still deals with, related to a medical genetic disorder that was hard to diagnosis and caused Reagan to be fed almost completely by feeding tube and had limited range of motion.

Around the same time, Roger’s grandson, Travis, who was 6, was battling a rare form of cancer, and although it was thought he was in remission, the cancer was actually becoming more aggressive and spreading.

Whenever my dad or I would visit or talk with Roger by email or phone, he would be sure to check and see if there were any updates on Reagan and we would ask how Travis was doing. Sadly, on Sept. 12, 2018, Travis lost his battle with cancer and went to join the Lord.

I can’t even imagine the pain and grief associated with losing a child, but I kept in touch with Roger, who would find a bit of solace hearing and seeing Reagan reach certain milestones at her own time and in her own way.

This past weekend, I got married, and despite a little bit of last-minute craziness, it was one of the best days if my life. I didn’t have many decorations at the church, but I did have three votive candles with a sign that noted the candles were lit in honor of those who couldn’t be with us.

One was in honor of my Aunt Cheryl and my grandparents, one was in honor of my husband David’s sister that passed away and one was in honor of Travis.

I also had two special guests at my wedding. You might have guessed that Roger and his wife, Mary Beth, were there.

I only cried twice at the wedding — when my husband started to cry during our vows and when I told Roger that one of the candles was for Travis.

It was an honor for me to have Roger and Mary Beth at my wedding. Besides the candle, they were also able to get a kick out of Reagan being one of the flower girls.