Dear Law Enforcement Officers Wife 

Dear LEOW,

I see you.

I see the love and support you have for your officer. I see the gleam in your eye and how proud you are of him. I see the excitement as you see him in uniform or get a glimpse of him out in public. I see the double you take as a cruiser passes by. But I also see the fear that tries to sneak in and hold you captive when he suits up and walks out the door.

I see you at birthday parties, holidays and events, often times by yourself. I see the look of concern on your face as you worry what others will think at said events. Will they think you are having marriage issues? Will they think you aren’t really married? Or what questions will get asked this time?

I see you carting your littles around. I see you battling toddlers through the grocery store. I see the exhaustion on your face from sleepless nights, temper tantrums, and endless messes. I see your concerns you hold as you wonder how other kids will react to your kids if they learn their daddy is a police officer. Will your kids be treated differently or even rejected because of the misguided fears being taught by other parents? I see the tiredness you bear as you hold your job down. I see the nights you come home tired and just want to rest, but still have to cook dinner, help with homework, and get the kids to bed. I see the concern on your face as you miss story time again because mommy is too tired or it’s too late and I see the worry you carry if sending your kids to daycare is the right choice. I see you shield your littles from the news and stories and hate.

I see you at the grocery store. Sometimes even late at night or bright and early on a weekend morning. I see you breathe a sigh of relief to just get a few minutes to yourself without endless demands and pressure to do something. But I also see the tears in your eyes as you, yet again, see the groups of friends posting to social media about all the fun things they are doing while you are stuck at home with no babysitter. I see the calls and texts getting fewer and further between because those friends you once enjoyed have started to move on. I see your desire to have a girls night out and uninterrupted time with other ladies, whatever that looks like anymore. And I see the concern as you wonder how you will ever meet friends who won’t give up on you.

I see the different laundry piles, some clean, some dirty, which rest in various spots around your house. Sometimes several weeks before they are moved or put away. I see you staying up late to iron and ready uniforms for the coming day. I see the dirty dishes in your sink and the unfinished home projects, which seem to wave hello each time you walk by. I see the grass which needs to be mowed, the bushes and trees to be trimmed, and the look of concern on your face as to if there will ever be a time when it’s all caught up.

I see you tip-toeing around the house, running box fans, and posting “do not disturb” signs to your front door so that nothing will wake your sleeping officer. I see the look of concern that he won’t be well-rested, therefore not sharp minded and quick to react on his upcoming shift.

I see the times you try to do it all, be it all, and juggle it all. I see the times you put too much on your plate, the times you forget commitments or miss school theme days. And I see the times you feel you are simply going through the motions. I see the longing you have for some sense of normalcy, a regular schedule, more than a few days each week with your officer because most times it’s like two ships passing in the night. I see you cling to the brief minutes you get with him before he is back out the door, headed to the streets again.

And because of all this… I also see the moments of resentment you battle.

But here’s what else I see.

I see your sacrifice. I see you surrendering your time, your energy, and your schedule so that your husband can walk in his calling. I see YOU giving your life to an honorable position ‘to serve and protect’ your home front. I see you doing what it takes to support your officer so that the community he serves remains a little safer. I see the extra love and support you give to him so that you can help battle the darkness your officer has seen. I see you pray for his safe return.  I see you seeking out resources and events and other wives so that you can learn and be the wife your law enforcement officer needs. And I see a beautiful picture—a picture of a woman who is clothed in strength, and courage, and commitment.

I see you.

I see you and I know you because I am her, too. And I know the frustrations and emotions that come from being a wife of a man in uniform—the highs and the lows, the pride and fear, the emotions and exhaustion. But I also know the work you do isn’t in vain. You have a worthy calling as the wife of an officer. A calling not many are willing to accept or walk into; a calling that your officer can’t or wouldn’t want to do without you. You are the balance he needs, his safe place, his cheerleader, and his rock. You are the reminder he needs to put his trust and faith in One much higher than us.

Precious wife, on this day, this ordinary, regular day, I honor you. I thank you for all you do—what you do, and all you give and sacrifice so that our world is a little better. I thank you for the love you give, the tears you wipe, and the perseverance you keep so that the man you adore can be the man he is called to be.

Never forget that you have been chosen for such a worthy calling. You are seen even though it may seem it goes unnoticed. What you do matters. And there are so many out there who don’t even realize the sacrifice it takes, who would honor you, too.

“A lot can be accomplished if we don’t care who gets the credit,” I once heard someone say. And while I know you do what you do out of love, today, I give you credit for the amazing, strong, woman of honor you are.

Thank you, dear wife. Thank YOU.

– Melinda

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“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate” (Proverbs‬ ‭31:25-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬).

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Melinda is the Wives In Action Leader, a speaker with Bless The Badge, contributing writer for Law Officer and friend of Badge145. She is a working wife of a Texas Peace Officer whom she is crazy about, mother of two young and rambunctious little boys, two large fur babies, and a girl who is in love with Jesus!

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(Feature image: Photofy)