Love Rekindled: A Firefighter Family's Journey to Reconnection

10/10/24 • 40 min

Surviving and Thriving: A Firefighter Wife's Journey through Life's Challenges

In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' Kristi Hilmer interviews her friend Heather, who shares her remarkable journey of integration into the first responder lifestyle. Heather talks about meeting her husband during EMT training, going through nursing school, and the challenges of blending families with eight children, including twins. They discuss their separation, subsequent divorce, and eventual reconciliation after deep self-reflection and coaching. Together, they now run 'Relationship CPR,' offering coaching to couples in high-stress jobs, emphasizing communication, self-understanding, and the importance of community support. The episode highlights the difficulties, triumphs, and transformations in first responder relationships, advocating the need for creating positive environments both at home and in the workplace.

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

01:01 Meet Heather: A Journey into Healthcare and Family

02:07 Blending Families and Career Challenges

03:52 Navigating Parenthood and Career Transitions

06:38 Struggles and Separation

10:27 Reconciliation and Personal Growth

14:40 Balancing Independence and Partnership

19:31 Creating a Safe Space at Home

22:36 Personal Coaching Journey

24:32 Creating Relationship CPR

25:55 Challenges and Insights

27:09 Community and Support

28:49 Addressing Fire Service Issues

33:50 Resources and Outreach

34:49 Rapid Fire Questions

39:14 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
Interested in chatting with Heather at Relationship CPR? Email [email protected] and follow them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/relationshipcprstat

Join our Community- The FireWife Community on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstresponderwife/
Find me on IG
https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/
Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!!
And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

Send us a text

Surviving and Thriving: A Firefighter Wife's Journey through Life's Challenges

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

01:01 Meet Heather: A Journey into Healthcare and Family

02:07 Blending Families and Career Challenges

03:52 Navigating Parenthood and Career Transitions

06:38 Struggles and Separation

10:27 Reconciliation and Personal Growth

14:40 Balancing Independence and Partnership

19:31 Creating a Safe Space at Home

22:36 Personal Coaching Journey

24:32 Creating Relationship CPR

25:55 Challenges and Insights

27:09 Community and Support

28:49 Addressing Fire Service Issues

33:50 Resources and Outreach

34:49 Rapid Fire Questions

39:14 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
Interested in chatting with Heather at Relationship CPR? Email [email protected] and follow them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/relationshipcprstat

Previous Episode

Duty, Family, and Fire with Kerri

Send us a text

Balancing Firefighting and Law: Kerri's Family Story

In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter', host Kristi Hilmer chats with Kerri, a Massachusetts-based attorney, about her unique life balancing a full-time law practice, raising kids, and being married to a fourth-generation firefighter. Kerri shares insights into their family dynamics, the challenges of step-family life, dealing with the anxieties of a first responder's dangerous job, and the importance of maintaining a personal identity outside the fire service. The conversation also explores Kerri's personal experiences during significant incidents like the Boston Marathon bombing and the practical routines they've developed over the years to manage stress and ensure family stability.

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

01:00 Meet Carrie: Balancing Law, Family, and Firefighting

02:02 Family Dynamics and Busy Schedules

03:17 Online Dating and Becoming a Firefighter's Wife

04:38 Surprises and Challenges of Firefighter Life

06:39 The Boston Marathon Bombing Experience

09:45 Handling Anxiety and Communication

19:03 Starting a Law Practice and Managing Worst-Case Scenarios

21:45 Balancing Personal Identity with Firefighter Spouse Life

22:32 Maintaining Individuality in a Firefighter Family

24:31 The Impact of Firefighting on Family Dynamics

25:20 Encouraging Diverse Interests in Children

26:38 Firehouse Pranks and Family Humor

29:05 Understanding the Emotional Toll on Firefighters

32:40 Rapid Fire Questions: Fun and Favorites

35:07 Best Advice for Family Harmony

38:22 Connecting with the Speaker

39:54 Conclusion and Community Invitation

Next Episode

Building Resilience: The Story Behind Everyday Heroes

Send us a text

Empowering Journeys and Building Community: Insights from Everyday Heroes

In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer is joined by Mitch Gourley, a firefighter and the founder of the Instagram community 'Everyday Heroes,' and his wife Markee. Together, they delve into their personal and professional lives, focusing on Mitch's aim to empower first responders and Markee's experience managing their demanding lifestyle. The couple discusses the pivotal role of communication and resilience in relationships, offering insights into navigating the stresses of firefighting and emotional hurdles. They share their growth stories and efforts in community-building while encouraging listeners to engage with the FireWife network. The episode also emphasizes the impact of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok in fostering supportive communities.

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

01:00 Meet Our First Couple: Mitch and Markee

01:29 Life as a Firefighter: Mitch's Journey

03:50 Navigating the Firefighter Schedule

05:30 Living in Canada: Weather and Wildfires

09:16 The Birth of Everyday Heroes

18:50 Balancing Personal Growth and Relationships

26:21 Maintaining Connection in a Busy Life

32:36 Handling the Hard Calls

37:12 The Impact of a Firefighter's Job on Family Life

38:29 Navigating Communication and Emotional Support

39:33 Personal Growth and Relationship Dynamics

43:53 Balancing High Achievements and Relationship Expectations

46:33 Advice for Those Facing Hard Times

55:25 Humorous Anecdotes and Pranks

01:03:34 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts
Follow Everyday Hero here https://www.instagram.com/everydayheroes.fitness?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Just a Girl and Her Firefighter - Love Rekindled: A Firefighter Family's Journey to Reconnection

Transcript

00:00:23.670

Hello and welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter. I'm Christy Homer, your host. Grab your favorite drink, whether it's coffee, fizz, or maybe something else, and let's dive into the wild, wonderful world of First Responder Life. We are here to swap stories, share laughs, and tackle those, did that just happen?

00:00:46.420

Moments. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just figuring this all out, this is the place for you. So kick back, get comfy, an