WHY POLICE FAMILIES HAVE AN UNSPOKEN BOND

Rewind to 9 years ago. My husband and I had just gotten engaged. Within the first two weeks of being engaged I remember going to a fellow police families’ home for a get together. The wives were in the kitchen talking and the officers were on the deck hanging out. The wives were discussing ideas they had about a police wife group they were forming for the LEO wives of our county; they seemed to bond nicely. I joined this group and met so many loyal, trusting police wives that year. And every year since.

We don’t always see each other. We all have busy lives, but when we do see one another, we know we can always pick up where we left off. If someone is sick, hurting, injured, going through personal issues, shift changes, what ever the case may be, we ALL have each others 6. You can count on it. If you don’t know them, it doesn’t matter. If you are a law enforcement family, WE are your family, too.

Why? Why are first responder families unlike any other?

-It is because we can relate to one another so well. We all have long days and even longer nights. We know that if we are struggling one day, then our fellow wives may be struggling the next. We are not alone and we don’t pretend to be.

-It is because we have a loved one that unselfishly devotes themselves to helping others and goes a crazy amount of time without a meal.

-Our hearts literally walk out the front door every time a shift starts.

-It is because we can’t listen to the media without hearing negativity related to our husband’s job.

-We treasure literally every second they have off because time is hard to come by.

Not many careers, with the exception of the military, bring families together like law enforcement does. We get the GOOD, the BAD, & the UGLY and we would not trade it for anything. While it may not be “easy,” I am so thankful my husband chose this profession and this lifestyle.

I am grateful for my police family and our bond. I am thankful for the connections we have made with other blue line family. I am thankful for the amazing friends I have made along this journey.

If you are new to the law enforcement life, then please take this advice. Try to meet other law enforcement families, join online police wive groups (we have one & the link is below), put yourself out there. It is so IMPORTANT (in this line of work) to find other people out there that can support you, guide you, be your 6 (have your back). One day, maybe not today, but someday, you will need it. At some point, you will feel scared, fed up, frustrated, proud and you will need someone to share all those feelings with THAT ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND. We are a unique breed, as some may say. Embrace it. Find the good and connect.

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