LEO Wives Aren’t B*tches; we are Warriors!
When I first presented my idea to work with the women behind the badge to a friend, he asked me if I was sure that I really wanted to do this. I was taken aback by his question and asked him what the heck he was talking about. He has been in law enforcement himself for nearly 25 years. My friend said, “because those women are oftentimes b*tches.” I laughed at his response and nearly shouted through the phone that THAT is EXACTLY why I want to work with these women.
The Invisible Wall Around LEO Spouses
For years I have attended events on behalf of my LEO husband. I’ve been in environments with women who are also in attendance with their own LEO. Sure, I’ve mingled with these women from time to time. For some reason there has always been this invisible wall around them; around me. I started to assess why that is. Looking at my own feelings in these situations was important. I understood that us LEO Warriors have to tolerate so much by simply being in a committed relationship with a LEO.
LEO Quirks
I recalled the little things…My husband asking me to change seats with him in a restaurant so he could face the entrance instead of having his back to it. I’ve had to dive for bullets that found their way into the washing machine when my husband insisted that he cleaned out the pockets to his uniforms. Four months in a row I ordered four pairs of work boots because my husband tore the soles chasing someone or hoping over fences. I’ve been the shoulder that my husband rests his cheek on when I know that he is keeping in the pain and emotion from a hard day. I have also seen his tearful eyes as he recounts a situation from that day when a four year old girl pointed a gun right at him.
Woman Behind the Badge
As the woman behind the badge, we too build onto our solid vest as we see what our LEO goes through each day. We are forced to see how media portrays a negative light on our LEO. We know the truth in what he goes through each day. In all honesty, my husband and I don’t even watch the news anymore because of this. Some of us have children who are wise enough to ask questions about why their parent is being made out to look like a like a bad person. All the while you have spent countless years raising your children to understand the respect and honor that goes into such a profession; that your child’s parent made the sacrifice and decision to choose a profession that requires bravery EVERY SINGLE DAY.
LEO Warriors
So in response to my friend who has his perspective of LEO Warriors as being catty, feisty, sassy, and sarcastic at times, you have it absolutely correct. I encourage anyone to look at this from the point of view of the women behind the badge. In doing this, we will begin to create a community of LEO Warriors who can turn to one another for support and encouragement. We can use these stereotypes as inspiration to do good by promoting and exposing the truth behind the badge. You are beautiful, you are strong, you are LEO Warriors.
