Using modern technology to date, I was scrolling through on Bumble when I came across a profile of someone I recognized. Feeling impowered, I sent a message asking “How’s the life of a firefighter?” After chatting through the app for a day or so, we exchanged numbers and were texting during the free time that Chris had away from his firefighter training. Soon, we went on our first date to the Bearded Lady in Fort Worth during brunch. We didn’t expect to be talking there for 3 hours, causing him to be late for his study group. We spent as much time together as we could after that day! Love soon followed along with my teachings of teamwork, which Chris loves to hear about…all the time. We have grown as a couple and a team, working through the ups and downs. During the first shutdown, due to COVID, we were spending all of our time together while he was not working at the station. A lot of couples we knew were breaking up because they found that they couldn’t spend so much time with their mate. We found that this time made us an even stronger team and pair.

We met in college, although she doesn’t remember. After graduating, I moved around the country with my family but tried to find my way back to Texas with those I met in college. I was finally hired on with Fort Worth Fire and started their 9 month long training in April of 2018. Several months passed when I recieved a message on bumble saying “How’s the life of a fire fighter?” That day in July changed everything for me. We met for brunch at the Bearded Lady in Fort Worth and, just in case the brunch date didn’t go well, I made sure we had a set amount of time before a study session. We ended up talking for hours making me late for that study session. My Fire training didn’t allow us to talk a lot or spend time together but we spent as much time together as possible. Her willingness to spend time with me just helping with my laundry, making food, or helping me study made me realize how amazing and different she was from everyone else.