When my sister Betsy was born, she was perfect.
Then she got a little older. And she was still perfect.
I had a childhood friend who called Betsy “Perfect Betsy” because she was always smiling and sweet and good.
She was still perfect in junior high and high school. Oh, sure…she ran into a curb or two.
Literally.
And figuratively.
But who didn’t?
Ha.
Then she made a perfectly earnest attempt to catch the bouquet at my wedding.
(Had to throw this one in, Bets.)
Here she is on her own wedding day. Perfectly lovely.
And here she is with her baby, my perfect nephew Elliot.
I loved that day.
And here she is with our brother Mike in our laundry room. Mike was doing my laundry.
I loved that day, too.
And here are the four of us together, five or so years ago. I think.
I like her bangs.
Name that movie.
Betsy and I have theories about sisters. About people who have them, about people who don’t. Then we realize one of our theories is blown out of the water for one reason or another and then we say, “Yeah, well…it’s true some of the time.” Then we continue to talk about it (and a thousand other matters) for four hours because that’s what sisters do: talk for hours about inconsequential things they wouldn’t necessarily talk about for four hours with other people, because it’s so much more effortless to talk to a sister. There’s so much background information that doesn’t need to be covered, and you don’t even need to speak in complete sentences to understand exactly what the other is saying.
This is a typical text conversation between Betsy and me:
“Yo.”
“Yeah.”
“Yer mom.”
“Later.”
To the outsider, that conversation accomplished nothing.
To Betsy and me, it was monumental.
Happy birthday Betsy!
You’re still every bit as perfect as you were thirty-seven years ago.
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
