p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Have you ever been completely blindsided? When something occurs in your life that just makes you stop and think, how? Well imagine that occurring every day for as long as you can remember. Every day you always have something that is eating away at you and causing you pain. Pain and suffering is something that you have felt every day for years. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"It started with your childhood. You constantly being abandoned by the person who was supposed to love and care for you. You were left with your grandparents every single day, so you weren't alone but that feeling of being abandoned sticks with you every day, so you are guarded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then when you were in high school you met someone who you thought was something right, but then after a few months you realized that you wanted out. Every time you tried; he would threaten you. He would say that he couldn't live without you and that you were nothing without him. He broke you down, tromped on your spirit, and made you fall apart. But, after three and a half years you finally broke free. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then you found this career. You look your EMT class and enrolled in fire classes as well. This is the first time you felt a purpose. The moment those tones dropped from your first EMS call as a student you were hooked, it was almost like a drug for you. The call is still picture perfect in your mind, and while not much had been done you were hooked. That was it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You took and passed and became an EMT. You joined the local fire department as a firefighter and first responder./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"A week in you pulled your first structure fire. It was December 21, 2017. You were working a job when your pager tones went off. You rushed out and were the first at the station. Flames showing, fully involved is what the page said. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As your lieutenant runs to the door you follow, you place your gear on for the first time and you take a deep breath. You get in the engine and you take off. You are one of four on the engine and you are both scared to death and excited. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As you pull up on scene you see the glow of the flame. This is it. You are being baptized by fire, literally. You fight the fire for hours in the cold Wisconsin winter and it keep snowing. The night was your first fire, and you felt at home. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"That night you also met someone for the first time. He was your mentor, and you didn't know it then, but you were going to become part of his family. From it you got people who became like parents to you, two boys that became like brothers to you, and a girl who was like a sister to you. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The next year you took your paramedic class and worked hard for nine months to do so. All of the sleepless nights and lectures were worth it, and because of that you made it. You became a paramedic and earned your gold patch. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You were now a firefighter, paramedic, an EMS lieutenant, and you finally felt like you made something of yourself. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You joined another department with your brother and mentor, and you were it, life was good. It stayed good for about a year and a half, and then again, pain and suffering./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Rumors flew out of nowhere and you were lost. You were in such disbelief and you didn't know how people were believing this. Walking into the chief's office and you were given two choices, resign or your fired. You resigned and left in tears; you then did the same at the department you shared with your family. Then, since you were living with that family you were forced to move. You completely lost everything you have ever cared about in less than 24 hours. It was all gone, and there was no coming back to this./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You spent the next three months alone and unsure of where to go next. Then, you finally decided enough was enough and that you needed to do something./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Searching for paramedic jobs online you come across one about an hour away from home, and you apply. Three hours later you get a phone interview and your in-person interview is scheduled for three days later. You do the interview and tests and you are being walked back to human resources. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Your interviewer turns to you and offers you a full-time position as a paramedic on nights, and you accept immediately./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Two weeks later you have your orientation followed by your first day of work on days the next day./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You arrive at 5 am, and you are filled with nerves but also excitement, because this is a new beginning and a fresh start. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The rest of the crew arrives and then you realize that you know one of them. He is from the county you used to work for. He is also a firefighter and paramedic and the way he is with you it's obvious that he knows your story, and that crushes you. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He trains you that day and eventually the moment you know is coming happens. He confronts you, which surprises you. He says he knows the rumors and what people are saying, but he isn't going to hold it against you. All you say is that none of it is true and you just want a chance to move on and have a fresh start. With that the two days of orientation together moves forward with no issues./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You only see him at shift changes and it's normal. Not much is said but you catch him looking at you and eventually small talk happens. It's about calls at home or random work stuff. Then a few weeks later he asks for your number, and you text innocently for a couple weeks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then one Friday night you get a text message/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Do you have plans tonight? Would you like to go get a fish fry or something?" Your heart skips a beat. Since the day you met him you were attracted to him, and you were wanting more. Every time your phone went off you secretly hoped that t was him. Sadly, this particular night you were working, so you had to say no. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then you wanted him to ask again. So, a couple weeks later you hinted, and he asked again. You planned to go a bar around your area and meet there for dinner. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As you get ready you are messaging, and you are nervous. This is the first time you have felt excited about something in a long time. You do your make up, curl your hair, and dress up. You take a breath and start to drive./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You arrived first and waited in the parking lot. When he pulled in next to you your heart skipped a beat. He was looking all cute, and you both just smiled awkwardly at one another and walked in together. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"So, when most people think of a first date it doesn't go like this. You walk in and he walks up to a table full of people. He walks back and says it's his aunt, uncle and grandma, and that we can sit there or sit alone. You agree to sit with them, and you make it through dinner, and it was honestly perfect. You both talked to one another and you find yourself falling more than you already were. You end the dinner and end up going out for a couple drinks in your hometown. You end the night with a simple goodbye, and you message all night long. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You defiantly were falling hard and fast, but you're afraid. The next few weeks are filled with late night conversations and hanging out every Friday. At shift changes you smile awkwardly at one another and just innocently flirt. Then, for your birthday you go to a town an hour away for dinner, and it was great. At this point all you've done is hold hands and flirt very intensely. It's obvious that you are both falling for one another. After dinner you walk out and get in the car. He looks at you like he does and leans in for a kiss, and…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You move your head downward…./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He laughs it off and you made the excuse that your breath smelled from dinner. He gives you grief about it as you drive, but you put a mint in your mouth and apply your lip gloss. As the car pulls up to a stop light you lean towards him and grab his head and pull him in for a kiss. That one wasn't perfect, but it got the point across. He laughs and continues to drive. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then, a few seconds later he looks at you as he's driving, and says, "Kiss or we die." And you lean in for another one that was full of passion and absolutely perfect. When you both pull away you both are blushing and full of excitement. You are all over each other and just loving it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You spend the night at your girlfriend's house because it was snowing, and the two of you are sleeping on the futon together. Its innocent. He kisses you until you fall asleep and holds you close all night long. The next night at his house it's the same./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"So, the question is, is this the one? You're afraid to feel. But you are falling, and now there's one thing that's been on your mind. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Your trying to find the perfect time to say I love you, and you just want him forever. Hes your happy place, you bond at work and work the ambulance together, you talk fire and EMS calls all the time, and most importantly you make each other happy. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Isn't it funny? You run away to a new job only to come home and have him? The one person who knew your story isn't judging you and he excepts you for who you are. And you except all of him. The best love story is the one you hadn't plan on writing, and I certainly didn't see myself writing this one. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The best is yet to come. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"It started with your childhood. You constantly being abandoned by the person who was supposed to love and care for you. You were left with your grandparents every single day, so you weren't alone but that feeling of being abandoned sticks with you every day, so you are guarded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then when you were in high school you met someone who you thought was something right, but then after a few months you realized that you wanted out. Every time you tried; he would threaten you. He would say that he couldn't live without you and that you were nothing without him. He broke you down, tromped on your spirit, and made you fall apart. But, after three and a half years you finally broke free. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then you found this career. You look your EMT class and enrolled in fire classes as well. This is the first time you felt a purpose. The moment those tones dropped from your first EMS call as a student you were hooked, it was almost like a drug for you. The call is still picture perfect in your mind, and while not much had been done you were hooked. That was it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You took and passed and became an EMT. You joined the local fire department as a firefighter and first responder./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"A week in you pulled your first structure fire. It was December 21, 2017. You were working a job when your pager tones went off. You rushed out and were the first at the station. Flames showing, fully involved is what the page said. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As your lieutenant runs to the door you follow, you place your gear on for the first time and you take a deep breath. You get in the engine and you take off. You are one of four on the engine and you are both scared to death and excited. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As you pull up on scene you see the glow of the flame. This is it. You are being baptized by fire, literally. You fight the fire for hours in the cold Wisconsin winter and it keep snowing. The night was your first fire, and you felt at home. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"That night you also met someone for the first time. He was your mentor, and you didn't know it then, but you were going to become part of his family. From it you got people who became like parents to you, two boys that became like brothers to you, and a girl who was like a sister to you. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The next year you took your paramedic class and worked hard for nine months to do so. All of the sleepless nights and lectures were worth it, and because of that you made it. You became a paramedic and earned your gold patch. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You were now a firefighter, paramedic, an EMS lieutenant, and you finally felt like you made something of yourself. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You joined another department with your brother and mentor, and you were it, life was good. It stayed good for about a year and a half, and then again, pain and suffering./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Rumors flew out of nowhere and you were lost. You were in such disbelief and you didn't know how people were believing this. Walking into the chief's office and you were given two choices, resign or your fired. You resigned and left in tears; you then did the same at the department you shared with your family. Then, since you were living with that family you were forced to move. You completely lost everything you have ever cared about in less than 24 hours. It was all gone, and there was no coming back to this./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You spent the next three months alone and unsure of where to go next. Then, you finally decided enough was enough and that you needed to do something./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Searching for paramedic jobs online you come across one about an hour away from home, and you apply. Three hours later you get a phone interview and your in-person interview is scheduled for three days later. You do the interview and tests and you are being walked back to human resources. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Your interviewer turns to you and offers you a full-time position as a paramedic on nights, and you accept immediately./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Two weeks later you have your orientation followed by your first day of work on days the next day./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You arrive at 5 am, and you are filled with nerves but also excitement, because this is a new beginning and a fresh start. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The rest of the crew arrives and then you realize that you know one of them. He is from the county you used to work for. He is also a firefighter and paramedic and the way he is with you it's obvious that he knows your story, and that crushes you. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He trains you that day and eventually the moment you know is coming happens. He confronts you, which surprises you. He says he knows the rumors and what people are saying, but he isn't going to hold it against you. All you say is that none of it is true and you just want a chance to move on and have a fresh start. With that the two days of orientation together moves forward with no issues./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You only see him at shift changes and it's normal. Not much is said but you catch him looking at you and eventually small talk happens. It's about calls at home or random work stuff. Then a few weeks later he asks for your number, and you text innocently for a couple weeks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then one Friday night you get a text message/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Do you have plans tonight? Would you like to go get a fish fry or something?" Your heart skips a beat. Since the day you met him you were attracted to him, and you were wanting more. Every time your phone went off you secretly hoped that t was him. Sadly, this particular night you were working, so you had to say no. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then you wanted him to ask again. So, a couple weeks later you hinted, and he asked again. You planned to go a bar around your area and meet there for dinner. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As you get ready you are messaging, and you are nervous. This is the first time you have felt excited about something in a long time. You do your make up, curl your hair, and dress up. You take a breath and start to drive./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You arrived first and waited in the parking lot. When he pulled in next to you your heart skipped a beat. He was looking all cute, and you both just smiled awkwardly at one another and walked in together. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"So, when most people think of a first date it doesn't go like this. You walk in and he walks up to a table full of people. He walks back and says it's his aunt, uncle and grandma, and that we can sit there or sit alone. You agree to sit with them, and you make it through dinner, and it was honestly perfect. You both talked to one another and you find yourself falling more than you already were. You end the dinner and end up going out for a couple drinks in your hometown. You end the night with a simple goodbye, and you message all night long. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You defiantly were falling hard and fast, but you're afraid. The next few weeks are filled with late night conversations and hanging out every Friday. At shift changes you smile awkwardly at one another and just innocently flirt. Then, for your birthday you go to a town an hour away for dinner, and it was great. At this point all you've done is hold hands and flirt very intensely. It's obvious that you are both falling for one another. After dinner you walk out and get in the car. He looks at you like he does and leans in for a kiss, and…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You move your head downward…./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He laughs it off and you made the excuse that your breath smelled from dinner. He gives you grief about it as you drive, but you put a mint in your mouth and apply your lip gloss. As the car pulls up to a stop light you lean towards him and grab his head and pull him in for a kiss. That one wasn't perfect, but it got the point across. He laughs and continues to drive. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Then, a few seconds later he looks at you as he's driving, and says, "Kiss or we die." And you lean in for another one that was full of passion and absolutely perfect. When you both pull away you both are blushing and full of excitement. You are all over each other and just loving it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"You spend the night at your girlfriend's house because it was snowing, and the two of you are sleeping on the futon together. Its innocent. He kisses you until you fall asleep and holds you close all night long. The next night at his house it's the same./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"So, the question is, is this the one? You're afraid to feel. But you are falling, and now there's one thing that's been on your mind. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Your trying to find the perfect time to say I love you, and you just want him forever. Hes your happy place, you bond at work and work the ambulance together, you talk fire and EMS calls all the time, and most importantly you make each other happy. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Isn't it funny? You run away to a new job only to come home and have him? The one person who knew your story isn't judging you and he excepts you for who you are. And you except all of him. The best love story is the one you hadn't plan on writing, and I certainly didn't see myself writing this one. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The best is yet to come. /p