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They told us we would miss it.  That we would look back and wonder how it had gone by so fast.  I didn’t believe them, but I believe them now. 

It was 4 days ago that I was sitting on stage with my fellow recruits, all of us with a sense of pride.  How does 24 grueling weeks come to end with a 2 hour ceremony?  It seemed surreal. 

So much time was spent ironing my uniform, polishing my boots, double checking and triple checking all of my gear.  Everything had to be the same even though every day was different.  We had to expect the unexpected, and yet somehow we still ended up surprised.  24 weeks of being exhausted, of sore muscles and fatigue.  And it all ended with us sitting comfortably on stage for 2 hours…

We spent 6 months pushing ourselves further than we ever thought possible; mentally, physically, and emotionally.  So much was new, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable. There were days when I thought I would not make it through.  There were days when I thought my heart was beating so hard and so fast it would burst in my chest.  There was a day or two that on my way home at 1:30 in the morning I couldn’t help but let a few tears run down my face out of frustration and exhaustion.  But then there were the days that I would laugh so hard my cheeks ached; days that were so fun and exciting I didn’t want them to end. 

Our academy started with 44 people, all strangers to each other.  But somewhere along the way we broke out from our shells and ended as a family of 35.  At times our lives were literally dangling on a rope held by another recruit.  I’ve never had to put my trust in another person that way, but I was able to do it without hesitation.  I guess that’s what happens when you spend 6 or 7 days a week together.  I saw these people more than I saw anyone else in my life, including AJ.  I saw them at their worst and at their best.  I saw them accomplish the impossible; they saw me do the same.  You would be surprised what you can do with 34 people behind you; pushing you to dig deeper.  Some days I gave more than I thought I had to give.  I miss those days.

It’s been 4 days since I last saw the majority of my brothers.  I miss them.  And even though I said many nights “I can’t wait for the academy to be over”, I miss it like crazy.  I tried relaxing, it didn’t really work.  I’ve been working on our house, but it’s just not the same kind of “busy”.  I like being able to finally spend time with my family, especially my niece, but I miss my academy family. 

It’s funny how things never work out the way you plan.  Two years ago my life was headed in the opposite direction it is now.  I was finishing up classes for my AA, had just gotten my business cards for my own photography business, and was ready to make a name for myself in the art world.  But one motorcycle accident later (not my own), I realize that my entire life and all the experiences within it have put me on path that leads one way- to the fire service. 

Don’t get me wrong, I know this is my photography blog and it will remain so as my creative outlet (especially with a nephew on the way).  I have a wild passion for photography and art, and I love to create or tell a story through my images.  However, this will be a free time pursuit.

 It has taken me 25 years (yikes!) to come to realization that this is what I’m meant to be doing.  25 years of trying everything else, pursuing other interests, chasing other dreams, and it all led me here.  There is nowhere else I’d rather be, nothing else I’d rather be doing.

Here is our class video CRFA 17 Class Video produced by Nick Smith