Sometimes I get asked what it is like to be married to a firefighter. I always find the question a little odd because in my mind I am married to my best friend not a firefighter. I imagine what they are asking is, "How can you handle being married to someone who willing walks into a burning building??"
Well....I always start with it is NOT for the money. LOL! It is NOT for the times that we miss plans or have plans interrupted because the pager goes off. It is NOT for the holidays and events he misses with our children. It is NOT for the times the entire house is woke up because the pager goes off and he has to fly out the door. It is not for the times I play "single mom" while he is away at work for 24 hours. It is NOT for the nights I go to bed alone!! Most importantly it is NOT for the times I wonder is he safe or cry thinking "what if...?"
It is for the times I see my best friend chasing his childhood dream. The days he jumps out of bed eager to get to work (which is almost every shift). The happy moments when he can say we saved a structure today or even better we saved a life with the help of God. It is for the times he comes in and shares stories of his "extended family." The times I get to watch my friend achieve his career goals! Most importantly, the absolute love he has for his passion of fighting fires and helping those in need by serving God and his community.
So I guess my questions is...."How can I not be married to someone who is willing to risk his life, lose everything to help someone on the worst day of their life?" Yes there are times I complain. I don't always like some of what goes with being married to a firefighter however I couldn't imagine him doing anything else or me being married to anyone else!
