Today Chelsi McFadden from pulaskisandpencilskirts.org and I talk about what it is like being the spouse of a responder or service member. There are so many great takeaways you don’t want to miss it!
SHOW NOTES COMING SOON! In the meantime, check these ladies out and all the great work they are doing!
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The purpose of Pulaskis & Pencil Skirts is to serve women who are in committed relationships with firefighters through education, support, and encouragement. Pulaskis & Pencil Skirts is a safe place where we can come together as significant others and spouses (S.O.S) of Firefighters to encourage each other to be the best versions of ourselves.
Chelsi McFadden
Hi, I’m Chelsi McFadden. I’ve been loving my firefighter for over 11 years. I am passionate about supporting and strengthening relationships in the fire service. I believe that love is a choice we make every single day to the person who we desire to spend our lives with. I believe in reckless love, the kind where you planned a picnic on the beach, just to have the skies open up and pour down rain, but you decided to stay and get soaked because dancing in the rain is the most romantic thing you can think of. If you like spontaneous date nights, unplanned adventures to nowhere and want to make your relationship stand the test of time over stressing about the rigors of fire seasons, I’m down for that. I’m probably the most unconventional fire wife you will ever meet. I believe in independently following my dreams and living my life, even when he’s unavailable. I believe that you can be both a safe place for him to land and also a kick ass boss babe managing your own business or even being the chief of your home base. Regardless of what your everyday looks like, you are more than capable of rocking it!
Being married eleven years brings perspective that a newlywed can’t even imagine. In the beginning it was thrilling to be waking up (most days) next to the person I would spend the rest of my life with. It was romantic just to sit and drink wine and play cards together or hang out in our beanbag chair watching the latest episode of Bones. But after 11 years, I am just happy when he walks through the door at the end his 72 hour shift unscathed. I am ecstatic when he doesn’t go to the latest campaign fire that burns down an entire town. I am happy to know he is sitting safe in his station putting a fresh coat of paint on the wall. I have no fantasies of romantic dinners or long walks on the beach. The only walk I care about now, is the one from his truck to the doorway when he returns home safe from his last shift. Every single time he comes home to me, I am thankful.
My hope is that you find a tribe here. One that will lift you up but also keep you grounded. A community of kick ass chicks who don’t cower to the craziness of #firewifelife. Rather, they rise and fearlessly run after their own dreams. I desire to see each and every relationship that is explored here, explode with reckless love. I hope to give you tools, encouragement and love as you walk hand in hand down the path that you have already started on. Because, this is your love story and it is worth choosing over and over again.
Ren Samuelson
Hi! I’m Ren. I’ve been married to my firefighter for nearly a decade, but have only been a fire wife for about half that time. Prior to our career shifts I was the firefighter and he was the fire significant other. Together we have three young kids, with a fourth on the way. What our firefighters endure is hard work. I know what it’s like to work the grueling hours, be exhausted beyond comprehension, and miss my family to the core of my being. This leads me to have high expectations for myself and my husband when it comes to nurturing our relationship. A few years ago, I made the choice to step away from the fire service to concentrate on raising our family. It didn’t take me long to realize that, as much as I love my children, I missed the community of working for the fire department. This led me on a pursuit to connect with other fire wives, and along the way realize how important identifying with others and knowing we aren’t alone really is. I am passionate about guiltlessly working hard and following our own dreams, while also maintaining and nurturing our relationships with those that mean the most of us. I want you to find yourself in a community of strength and support for fire significant others. A tribe of women building each other up and cheering each other on through the big, and not so big, happenings of our lives. I’m a firm believer in taking care of ourselves in order to take care of others and I hope to offer you the tools to maintain a positive outlook, fierce independence, and deeply passionate love for this lifestyle.
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