The Gym at TRACEN

Before moving out here I went to the gym(often with my mom!) about 4-5 times a week. I used to see everything from the highschool football players to the geriatrics lifting the 2lb dumbbells and I liked that. Now almost everyday I go work out(with Finback wives or Q) here at the gym on base:

Sometimes its empty like above but other times its packed with recruits getting their butts worked off, lifting, spinning, and theres also a whole lot of "who are we?"..."COAST GUAAAAAAAAAAAARD!!" being yelled and a few "Hoo-Rahs" thrown in too. Theres also active duty, retirees, company comanders, and of course us dependants working out too. Sometimes when we are there working out along side some of these people I stop and think: "I cant believe this is my life". I never thought this would be part of my daily routine but now that it is I LOVE it! Its an encouraging place to be and work out and no matter who you are you will push yourself just a little extra from being in that space. I had to laugh a little while I ran today because I knocked off 2 minutes from my usual 3 miles on the treadmill and realized it was probably running next to a company commander that did it! LOL! Just something about those Smokey Bears! ;)

In all seriousness though its also really lucky that we are here so Q can train for A-School. These facilities are amazing and I know its a blessing for him. Today he is swimming a timed 500 yard swim and learning some rescue techniques to become the official rescue swimmer on the Finback! I couldn't be more excited for him to have this opportunity!

Quincy's First Day at Work for the USCG

I love this man.

I love that my camera caught these even if it was 5 a.m. est and 2 a.m. pst!

I love the pride I feel when I see him in his uniform every morning.

I love that he is excited about his job EVERY single day.

I love the gratefulness that washed over me when he walked out the door that morning and started this new chapter.

I love that this adventure brought us to a new place.

I love that I found his graduation program that morning that included the USCG ethos and felt nostalgic about hearing his company say the following at graduation:

I am America’s Maritime Guardian.

I serve the citizens of the United States.

I will protect them.

I will defend them.

I will save them.

I am their Shield.

For them I am Semper Paratus.

I live the Coast Guard Core Values.

I am a Guardian.

We are the United States Coast Guard.

I just loved his first day.

Period.