Wednesday, August 4, 2010

SWAT: family day

when you think S.W.A.T. think Collin Farrell. That's really what it's like, guys. Not really.

One of the great things about the department that HF works for, is that he gets a lot of training opportunities. For the past few months he has been able to train with the SWAT team. In January, he will tryout for the team. Today was "family day" and the families were invited to BBQ and enjoy demonstrations put on by the team. HF didn't participate of course, but was invited to come and bring me and the kids "so that your wife will know what it will be like for you." This was an impressive group of guys.

Of course, I was mostly thrilled to be in the presence of so many other police wives and girlfriends. I don't mix and mingle with police wives from the department or in general so I was excited to meet some. Having police husbands may be the only thing we have in common, but really that's all it takes sometimes. Common ground is already covered, so what else is there to do than just talk. I love it. Oh, and there's definitely some drama happening with some of the police wives (lets out a long whistle). I can see where they get inspiration for crazy police wives like Tammy in Southland. Do you think I could ever be the subject or the cause of some pw drama? Hmm?

Also, upon arriving, I was surprised to notice that one of my childhood friends from home that I've known since I was four, but haven't seen in 10 years, was on the team. How random is that? We end up in the same city and state far away from our little town in California. He's a firefighter/paramedic and is one of the medics on the team. How wonderful to catch up with him and know that I'll have the chance to see more of him and his family in the future.

Anyway, they did demos (i.e. blowing things up) and they had a little station for the little kids to shoot airsoft guns. And they somehow cooked up some of the best burgers I've ever tasted! I had to leave early with the kids because of a babysitting situation (we left Beau at home) and the kids cried the whole way home because they didn't want to leave. Sadly they had to miss out.

The whole way home I just felt so happy. I contemplated how this feels like where I'm supposed to be exactly right now in my life. No matter the difficulties and trials that come with this chosen lifestyle, I feel up for it. I can do the work and I whole-heartedly support my husband and his goals. Who would think one could feel so much happiness at a pending SWAT team barbeque?

6 comments:

Simply Complicated said...

That's great! I agree it does feel good to see our husband's achieve their dreams. My husband is on our county SWAT and absolutely loves it... all the "hot calls" you know! Of course with the added responsibility it makes for extra call-outs (which he lives for and I dread!) ;-) But I often hear him say "I can't believe I get paid to do this" on those calls! :-)

It is satisfying and fulfilling to support our husbands in a tough job.

Ann T. said...

Dear Mrs. Fuzz,
And I am happy for you! A full life is a good life.

Ann T.

Yellow said...

I love when T-rex calls to say "I still can't believe I get paid to do this!"
I think that is what makes it okay for me to LET him do this! Like I really get to pick anyway. But something about that join in his voice makes all the stress go away.

T-rex has been on our "SWAT" (Here they call it S.O.G. for little over a year now, and has already had some nice calls. It's a blast. I think some people are just called to do it, and if that's the case then I must have been called to support him doing it. I love it.

As for the police wife drama, I KNOW! It's bad. I have learned to avoid most of it. Other than MRS K, who is like the Police MOM. She is really cool. I am learning I am lucky to have her around, cause all the other wives. . . well I am just lucky :)

Happy you had a great time at the BBQ. Best of luck to HF.

Sera said...

Good luck to HF with the SWAT thing!  My hubby just made the SWAT team & he’s loving it!! They just had their first training & he’s all pumped up. The only down fall, he has to go to a 2 week school & miss our daughters 1st birthday. I think I’m more bummed about it than he is.

A few weeks ago, my hubby’s dept. did a family BBQ w/ the SO & it was so nice to get the 2 agencies together . I know many of the wives within the dept. & I have formed many great friendships… but like you said, for some reason, drama follows. For a while there, it made me second guess the friendships because I don’t want anything to pour over into the hub’s job. Luckily, it was just one wife that caused (& apparently has always caused) the drama. With me being new to the scene (we don’t live within the town that he works) I didn’t quite know how bad she could be. I was warned but I’m not one to form an opinion or judge based on what others say. To make a long story short, I just walked away from the drama & kept the easy friendships I formed with the other wives. You need them! You need the support & understanding that comes w/ their friendship. I’m glad I didn’t let one bad situation defer me from the other friends that I had.

Meadowlark said...

Coming back from outerspace to comment - Husband just goes over 11 years on the SWAT team here and I'm getting a bit tired. :( Love the OT, but hate the strain on his back. He's an old-guy (oldest on the team) and I worry about him.

Enjoy... it's the studliest thing they get to do! :)

Natalie said...

I love that "full" feeling after being with like-minded families that get what it takes to be married to an LEO. So fulfilling, but lonely when not around others that can relate.