We are DONE with Break In! Phase III and IV are complete. B. is rolling on his own. Break In is defnitely difficult and draining on the the officer as well as the family adjusting to the new normal of law enforcement life. Shift work takes a huge adjusment, especially graveyard shift. We bought black out blinds to add to our bedroom windows. It helped for a while, but any little crack would let in light. We would go 3-4 days without seeing B. He would leave for work before we got home or we would leave for school before he got off in the morning. There would be a few days here and there where we would run into each other for a few minutes in the garage. The girls know their Papa is at work. They get so excited when they see a patrol car on the freeway. They always want me to see if it's him. I get just as excited as they do. I work in the same city as B. and actually drive by his office on the way home everyday. One day, he actually pulled out of their lot as I drove by. I got a glipse of him in his uniform driving the patrol car. Gotta love a man in uniform.
I've received a few emails in the last few weeks from girlfriends, fiances, and wives of Cadets starting the Academy next Monday, August 25th. I was in your shoes a year ago. It's a long journey, but so far it's been totally worth it. The first four weeks will be the toughest for you and your Cadet. They will be bombarded with information and you will be adjusting to life apart. Be their support system and do not let them give up or quit. You may get the phone call saying, I think I want to come home. If it's any day but Friday, tell them you'll see them at the end of the week. Tens of thousands of people want to be in their seats at the Academy. They made it this far, do not let them quit.
Thanks for following our journey from Cadet to Officer.
Please don't hesitate to send any questions to amynoellemaia@gmail.com
