Blog
To My Dear Husband, I Am Worried Your Heart Has Hardened
As fire wives we must understand this : Our husbands are exposed to trauma everyday. Sometimes, it isn’t one large traumatic event that can take a mental toll on your spouse, it’s the constant and continual exposure to these so-called ‘minor’ traumas...
The Fire Department is Destroying Us All
Let’s not pretend this thought to quit the fire service never crosses your mind. (and if you are living some amazing fire life where it never has, can we ask for a moment of your silence here because based on our experiences with this world, you are the...
Have you normalized DefCon5 in your house?
Did you know (or forget?) that when someone is regularly around crazy high levels of crisis (which is every single first responder, and their families secondarily), that high level of crazy can be normalized? You don't even feel the crazy, until the...
Why Your Holiday Feelings are Bigger (and how to guide that sleigh)
You know what feels good when life gets crazy? Validation that you aren't crazy. Yes, Virginia, Your Fire Family Christmas IS Extra crazytown. We validate that as professionals with professional advice. You already know this as a fire family (but let's check...
Fire Wife Wisdom {On Duty Communication Plan}
Do you have a plan about how and when you contact your firefighter? We often get the question, "I have a problem (insert a long list of possible issues from mild to important ), should I call my firefighter, or wait until he gets off duty?" "I have this...
New Traditions in the Face of a Covid Thanksgiving
The Fire Community is no stranger to disappointing holidays. We’ve all had to learn to adapt to scheduling conflicts, unexpected changes and spouses/families being alone on some of the most special days of the year. We have to get creative and create new...
A Cry For Help From The Homefront of the First Responder Mental Health Crisis
This article is a call for accountability to solve a root cause as to why violence happens by first responders. We live in a world where I need to add that disclaimer. Let's get on with the important work. This is a marathon, not a sprint and a healthier humanity...
Fire Family Protocols: Lessen the Spread of Contagions from the Firehouse to Home
Dear Fire Wife Sisters, What crazy times we are facing. But some of you are no stranger to this. Our firefighters are "first in" on many contagious situations. And for some of you, this is a first. Maybe you are a new fire family or simply haven't faced this situation...
Social Distancing: Covid-19
WHY IS COVID-19 DIFFERENT THAN INFLUENZA AND WHY IS SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IMPORTANT? Some thoughts / tips to understand facts and see how I’m handling this as a mom, fire family and business owner: NUMBERS AND MATH DON’T LIE I say this to my kids and...
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff (But When is it Small Stuff?!)
This Guest Post is from Courtney Murrell of fromtheashesiamreal.com. This post hit home with me, and maybe you'll relate some too. It's great to be able to see others in the Fire Life experiencing the same things, even when it isn't technically fire...
How Marriage Comparison is Stealing Your Joy
This Guest Post is brought to you by Rachel Mellencamp. (Twitter: @rachelmcamp and IG: @rachelmellencamp) She been married for 3 years to her Firefighter. She says she is still figuring it out. (Aren't we all 😉 ) She also has a passion for firefighters and their...
You Become Like the 5 People You Hang Around the Most
You become like the 5 people you hang around the most. Chances are you’ve heard this statement before in some form. I know I’ve heard it in business, in faith circles, in fitness endeavors, etc. Have you ever taken some time to consider what it might mean for...
Family First, FDIC, or Both?
Here's a long one..... are you ready? Are you going to FDIC? Is your firefighter? Do you even know what it is? At least here in the midwest, the buzz is loud about this event - the largest gathering of firefighters in the country drawing around 30,000...
Fire Wife Finds
Over the years we've learned that a lot of our Fire Wives love to craft and can be ingeniously frugal! The Dating Divas have helped with that, a lot! They continuously bring great new Date Night Ideas, seasonal themed print packs and...
Step Away From Your Devices: Your Summer Unplugged
Often we struggle as fire families to make time to do things together. For some of you, the fire service gets nearly every free moment - life shouldn't be that way. (*ahem* I will not call you out so harshly, but if you're not giving your spouse and family...
Ways to Honor a Retired Fire Wife
Firefighters and fire wives both know the sacrifices we each make living the fire life. Although we may not always tell each other. A little thank you or acknowledgement of how much your spouse gives, either at home or at the station, can go a long way to the heart of...
Anytime Chili Cook Off
I don't know about you but the cold weather seems like it is here to stay. Every morning we wake up and immediately, I know, it is going to be cold in the morning and even colder at night. By the time dinner rolls around I am ready to feel warm, cozy and...
12 Ways to Organize Your Home Fire House Style
You'd be surprised how functional and easy it is to find things in a fire house these days with all the new organizational items that are out there. Nothing beats the old classic hooks and benches though right? Whether you're trying to save space or add functionality...
New Year’s Eve – Date Night Delight or Dud?
Jackpot. A night off on a holiday. It feels like it never happens, right? All the good ones always fall on shift. He gets transferred from station to station and is always back in the rotation where BAM - holidays are workdays. This is the life we signed up....
Easy Promotion Gift Ideas for Firefighters
"Help! My firefighter was promoted and I would love to get him an awesome gift… but what?" We hear this ALL OF THE TIME! So to save your sanity and wallets, we've put together some great gift ideas on a budget and without one just in case you have multiple people...
The Promotional Process Stole Our Christmas
Last Christmas day, my husband sat across the room and said he felt like this Christmas didn't really feel like Christmas. He hadn't really seen any of the gifts that I had been scrambling around the past month to buy for the kids. And...