is not a day that goes by that is not filled with adventure – especially since adding Texas Longhorns to their beautiful, Hill Country ranch, SE Longhorn Ranch. But they truly believe that through the hands of God, they are building a life that is full of joy.
E
Eitan, which means strong in Hebrew, was born in Israel. Although he was raised in the city, his father’s love for the country allowed Eitan to learn a lot about agriculture and the farming industry. By 14, he was already riding tractors, working with cows, picking fruits and planting. He attended agriculture school, where he learned more things that would help him later in life. After finishing some time in the Army, he wanted to take a break from the tension that surrounded him. He was young, only 22 years old, and he wanted to travel the world. After only three months in Los Angeles, California, he knew where he wanted to be.
“When I came to the States, I wanted to stay,” says Eitan. “I dream big and I’m very ambitious, and so I became a proud American citizen.”
It was a far cry from the city life that Eitan knew in which Sandy was raised. Her home was near Abilene, Texas, surrounded by the country setting that she grew up loving. Even at a young age, her love for horses was evident.
“Any time that I disappeared, my family always knew that they could find me in the middle of the pasture near the horses,” Sandy says.
Thanks to her grandmother, her enthusiasm for horses was encouraged. She helped work cattle while riding horses. She also helped build fences with her younger sister and father – a time which was tough, but helped her to realize the importance of hard work.
Both Eitan and Sandy were working hard. Eitan had created a successful career
2017 SEPTEMBER i TEXAS LONGHORN JOURNAL 37
itan and Sandy Barhum admit there
through his furniture company that sold exclusive furniture to designers. Sandy was focused on raising her two kids and pursuing a career in architectural design.
“She didn’t know she was about to meet my niece,” Eitan laughs.
In 2006, Eitan finally made the move from LA to Texas, where he had fallen in love with the Hill Country filled with flowing rivers.
“When visiting, I said ‘I want to move here,’ and I did it,” he says.
A niece of Eitan, came to the US after her time in the Army in Israel – just as Eitan had done. During her travels, she visited her uncle in Texas and decided to stay for a little while. Eitan encouraged her to get a job at the mall, in which she did, selling face cream. Sandy, who normally took her kids to the mall in order to shop for them, took time out for herself that day and decided to do something out of the ordinary. She sat down at a booth and instantly started a great conversation with the young girl selling face cream.
“Sandy was leaving and my niece ran to her and asked for her number. She said she had a really cute uncle,” Eitan says. Sandy adds, “I just thought, am I crazy? I just gave my number to an unknown person.”
“My niece gave me the paper and said, ‘I found a cowgirl for you.’ I don’t usually do
things like this, but the next morning, I got up, pushed the coffee button and at 9 in the morning gave her a call. One week later, my niece flew back to Israel, so she did her job. It was through the hands of God that we are now building this life together all because of my niece.”
The couple, after marrying, decided to purchase more land in order to accommodate Sandy’s horses. It took more than three years to find the perfect property, but they finally found the special ranch north of Fredricksburg, Texas, that includes more than 100 acres of gorgeous views, rolling terrain, oak trees, and a very strong creek that rolls all year round.
“Longhorns were not on the agenda,” Eitan admits. They settled on their land and knew that in a couple of years they would have to decide what to do to maintain their ag exemption. Again, God knew their plans before they did and led them down the correct path.
While taking a morning walk out in “the boonies”, as Eitan calls it, on a backroad that leads to a creek, the two were discussing how they were probably the only human beings who walked that road, when out of nowhere, they saw a man running. They all began talking, and the man invited the Barhums to a campfire that night. Since the two enjoy meeting people, they went and in the discussions learned of a couple that
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