What Is It Like? Wife of a Firefighter

Throughout our marriage I've been asked many times what it's like for me to be married to a career firefighter.  Generally my response is "no big deal" or "I'm so glad Todd loves his job" or some quick, easy response.  Most people don't want to hear an hour long response explaining what life is really like.  And I don't say that because it's bad or negative in any way, I say that because, well, it's complicated.  That's what it's like.... it's complicated.

How do I explain that for the birth of our children I had a nagging fear that he may not be there because he might be on shift and busy with a fire or emergency call?  How do I explain that constant nagging fear for his safety throughout the time he's on shift?  How do I explain what it's like to have him at work for 48 hours or 72 hours at a time?  In the reverse, how do I explain what it's like to have him home for two to three straight weeks at a time because he has vacation time off?  How do I explain that having him home for an extended period of time makes him a little stir-crazy and me a little nutty (more nutty)?

Todd loves what he does and has always loved his job, his career, his lifestyle... because it really is a lifestyle.  I love that he loves his career and finds satisfaction in what he does.  For me, I've always been independent enough that I can function well with him gone for two to three days at a time.  With that said, it's certainly not always easy.

Like the time that our young Evan, at two years of age, swallowed his older brother's medication for ADD and was extremely sick from the medication.  Having to rush him to the doctor and monitor him for 24 hours while being Mom to a nine year old, Spencer, and 14 month old, Tori, was not easy.  I really needed Todd home to help but he was in his Recruit training after being newly hired and couldn't leave the training.

Or like the time our oldest son, Spencer, got terribly bit by a German Shepherd dog, mangling his hand at age twelve and having to get him to the emergency room on my own because Todd was in Paramedic school.  Luckily, my parents and sisters were in town for a family gathering and they were able to watch my little Evan and Tori.

How about the time that I was sick with the flu, I mean really sick, and after four days of being sick Todd had to head in to work.  I was not functioning at all and had to beg a sister to come help.  Now Todd could have called in sick to work, of course he has that option, but I really hated to have him take his valuable vacation time for me so I turned to my sister instead.  (He would have taken time off for me but my independent streak is an entire new issue you don't what to hear about.)

As I'm typing all of this, I can't help but think about military families who deal with these issues on a whole other level.  So, please know, I don't share all of this to complain... why am I sharing this?  I'm sharing to give some insight into the life of being a wife to a career firefighter who lives and breathes the life and has a wife who loves him dearly for his dedication.

Wife of a Firefighter

Have I ever shared that my handsome husband is a firefighter?  I'm a firefighter's wife.  Have I explained to you, dear readers, what it's like having your loved one gone for 48 hours at a job that has the potential of danger and harm for every emergency call?  Have I explained that he loves what he does and that he feels disappointment if he misses the opportunity to respond to a blazing fire?

The city that he works for is not a large city, which means he doesn't have many opportunities to actually fight a "good fire" ... those are his words, not mine.... but he got the opportunity early Friday morning.  He was called bright and early to a blazing fire of a local church building, a building that is rich in history for our county, a building that saddened many of us to see it destroyed. 

While I know that my dear husband would make every effort to be safety conscious during his working days and his commanding officers will make every effort to also be extremely aware of safety, I can't help but worry every time he goes to work.  It's a worry that lingers in the back of my mind.  It's a worry that makes me very grateful to have him home safely after every shift ends.

He was able to take some great pictures while at the fire this last week.  While the picture above is courtesy of the local news station, a great picture of the blazing fire, this next picture was taken while he was busy at work.  This is his viewpoint from the bottom of the ladder truck.

As I mentioned, he loves what he does so when he got the call to a "good fire" he was looking forward to the opportunity to put his firefighting skills to use.  His first 24 hours on the job fighting this blaze was a great day at work for him; however, after 24 hours out in the freezing cold and very little sleep he started his next 24 hours not as thrilled to do the job.  It was a very tough couple days for him.  I'm grateful to the caring, kind businesses in our community that provided warm food for him and his crew.  And very, very grateful to have him home safely again.

I'm grateful for the brave men, including my husband, who are willing to risk their lives to keep us safe.  Love my husband dearly and pray always that he'll be safe.  I wouldn't change him for the world and grateful for who he is and his brave heart.