Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. My marriage story began when I met my husband in the snack line in middle school. We started dating three years later, when I was a sophomore in high school and he was a senior. During our “middle” he became a firefighter, we got married, built a home together, and raised three sons. Our ending is still being written.
Out of respect for my husband, I’ll keep most details of our situation private. But I’ll tell you this: several years ago my husband’s heart turned away from me. Two years ago he moved out of our home, leaving our sons and me dizzy with confusion, grief, and despair.
Since that time, I’ve been on a wild, painful, and surprisingly beautiful journey. As I’ve traveled this journey, I’ve heard story after story of first respoders’ families fracturing and falling apart. Firefighters leaving their wives, firefighters’ wives having affairs, another police officer or sheriff filing for divorce, military couples drifting apart. Why?
I’m not an expert on statistics, and I’m not a therapist. I’m simply a firefighter’s wife with a voice and a longing to see families restored. This blog was formed out of my deep desire to help other first responders and their families hold it together.
Why the title, “Rescue Your Family?”
First responders have a calling. Their jobs are extraordinarey. They go to work and see things and do things the rest of us can’t imagine. They rescue others. My goal is for first responders to not only rescue others, but to be willing to rescue their own families.
In the coming posts, I’ll share with you what I’ve learned along the way. I’ll share resources. I’ll encourage you and offer hope. But in the meantime, know this:
If you’ve felt your relationship unraveling and you’re powerless to stop it, I understand.
If you’ve felt lost and alone, I understand.
If you’ve felt unloveable, worthless, and deeply flawed, I understand.
If you’ve felt responsible for every single thing wrong with your relationship, I understand.
If you’ve felt as if every relationship around you is thriving except yours, I understand.
If you’ve felt bitter and angry, I understand.
If you’ve felt confused and scared, I understand.
This blog is not just for first responders and their families; it’s for anyone who needs it. It will not be a place of anger. It’ll be a place where we can offer support, encouragement, and ultimately, healing. I welcome you to come back often.
Until next time...
