Made for the Midwest
Did I ever think I would write a blog post? No. Am I an incredibly outgoing person who wants the world to know what I am thinking? Not usually. Do I think I have a lot to say regardless? Absolutely!
My name is Cassidy Blade. If you are reading this on the Realizing Rural blog, you probably know that I am related to Jasmin, who has been sharing her thoughts on this platform for years. I am her younger (and much taller) sister. For those who do not know me, I live in Hettinger, ND with my husband, Collin, and my son, Kyler. I am twenty-four years old and I am the Publisher of the Adams County Record and the Hettinger County Herald newspapers. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Hettinger Area Chamber of Commerce and am very involved in the Hettinger community. I spend most of my spare time hanging out with Jasmin and our little families, and I really wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jasmin and I grew up close and have grown even closer throughout the years. We are constantly told that we look, sound, and think alike, although neither of us can see the resemblance. It must be true, though, because many people in town still have trouble telling us apart. We share a love for Indian food, cuddling babies, binge watching smut tv, camping in the summers and so much more. On a deeper level, we share the same core values, have many of the same goals in life, and both have a soft spot for the rural Midwest. Oftentimes, we finish each other’s sentences or end up saying the exact same thing at the same time. Sometimes, it’s crazy how much we think alike. It wasn’t always that way, however.
Right out of high school, Jasmin attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, a town with nearly 178,000 citizens. She seized every opportunity to travel the world, including going to India, China, Norway, and even volunteer teaching in the Marshall Islands. She craved adventure and a fast-paced life. Fast forward to January of 2018, and I am begging Jasmin to come give Hettinger a shot, even if just for a year or two so we can spend some time together. After many attempts and even a little bribing with Jaycees Bingo, she was packing up to live in my spare bedroom and work next door to me. Fast forward again to February of 2021 and Jasmin is still in Hettinger living the amazing life that I promised.
My experience, on the other hand, could not have been more different. Right after graduating high school in 2015, I moved to Hettinger, a town much smaller than the one I had grown up in. And by “right after”, I mean just two weeks after I got my diploma. I didn’t feel like I had any reason to wait. I planned to attend college online while working and spending as much time as possible with Collin. I had big aspirations, but I didn’t feel like I needed to have those grand experiences before I settled down into a quiet life that I knew I would love. I never had a desire to travel to big cities, to spend my time in a place where I wouldn’t know a single soul walking down the street. I knew right from the beginning that I wanted this life. I never had to realize that rural was the way for me.
Now, as a long-time believer and a recently converted lover of all things rural, we have decided to team up to share our thoughts with you, and we have a lot to say! Every day, we strive to help Hettinger flourish like we know it can, and I am excited to share our experiences. Together, we are working to shift the rural narrative from surviving to thriving.
