Princess memories

I will never forget the feeling inside as I said to myself, “You are walking forward,” as my name was called as a top three finalist for the 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. I remember standing there holding hands with my fellow finalists, waiting for who would be the winner. It felt like an eternity, but was mere moments.

One of the most surreal things about being crowned is that you do not know you’re Princess Kay until you physically feel the crown on top of your head. Like just about every other Princess Kay before and after me, my jaw was about on the floor when it happened.

I still count those first days as Princess Kay as the happiest days of my life to date. It’s cliché to say that I had always dreamed of Princess Kay, but it is true. I remember following the program closely and looking up to the finalists as girls who had reached an almost unattainable height. Each year my sisters and I would be excited for the Dairy Star or other agriculture newspaper to come so we could see who the new Princess Kay was.

It was only when my older sister, Annette, was a finalist that I started to believe real girls became Princess Kay finalists and I aspired that just maybe I could do it too.

After the coronation, they always hold a short time for the media to visit with the new Princess Kay. I remember staff asking me if I was ready to go talk with the media and I remember thinking, “Mock media has always been my lowest score in dairy princess judging, here goes nothing.” Despite not feeling ready, it went just fine.

Driving that night, I remember turning on the radio to my favorite Christian station just to give myself a sense of normalcy in an utterly amazing and overwhelmingly-not-ordinary couple of hours.

The next two days were a whirlwind. From the delights of the butter booth with then-sculptor Linda Christensen to the 23 media interviews two other finalists and I did with print, radio and TV, it was an experience like none other. I remember meeting Gov. Tim Walz, Sen. Tina Smith, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and more. It was utterly unforgettable for this hometown dairy farmer’s daughter.

I would describe myself as somewhat extroverted, at least in the fact that I basically never hit a social wall where I cannot do people anymore. That first day, once all the duties and all the people visiting were done, I remember this feeling of just needing to escape. I felt like I could not emotionally process or respond correctly to even just one more interaction with anyone. I’ve never felt that emotional exhaustion before or since.

The new memories and experiences stretched far beyond the Minnesota State Fair. I remember making my first ever post on social media to the thousands of followers on Princess Kay’s Facebook page. I remember writing columns for the Dairy Star, little knowing I would one day work for that very company.

It was through Princess Kay that my love for public speaking became cemented in my mind. There is no more amazing feeling than to speak to a group of people and feel them resonate and truly hear your message. I remember sharing again and again in speeches and media interviews how I saw my work as a dairy farmer as part of a circle of blessing where I could touch my community through providing healthy food and that my community in turn touched my life through the work they did.

I honestly don’t know if I’d be sitting here writing this today if it wasn’t for Princess Kay. The people and networks I received, the experiences that fed into being able to land internships and later a job, the respect I am given for having held the title, and the knowledge and self-growth I experienced helped me realize that this world of public relations, communication and media is where I want to hang my hat (or rather crown) for the rest of my life.

I am so thankful for the whole experience. It was a privilege to represent the dairy farmers of Minnesota. The saying goes that once a Marine, always a Marine, and I feel the same is true of Princess Kay: I will always advocate for this dairy community and I will never lose sight of the blessing it was to serve in the role.

With the Princess Kay coronation around the corner, I wish all the finalists the very best. For the girl who is privileged to serve as the next Princess Kay, your life will change forever for the better when that crown settles on your head.