Day 190/194 - Grad Week!

Monday, Week 28!
We made it to grad week! The week we have been dreaming of is here! I spent most of last night packing and I'll take off for Sacramento after work today (Tuesday). The Capitol Run is at 5:30AM tomorrow morning! I am so excited to watch Kev run out of those gates. The Juniors will be on the ground ready for knuckle pushups just like Kev did for his Seniors, and we will meet him at the Capitol building at the end of his 5 mile run.

I also found out that the photos taken last week were individual photos. The group photo with the Commissioner and other high ranking officials was yesterday and Kev did have his hair cut for it!

Basically, I only heard heard about on thing on Monday - For 20 minutes I was told about CTC 1-16's new mascot Bill and that the graduating class now has 101 cadets.

Bill posing on the right.

 I think it's time we get them out of there before they all go nuts ;)

The next time I write, I'll have an Officer by my side!!

- Mimi

Day 187-189/194

Friday - Sunday, Week 27!
Week 27 is done! Holy all that is "outstanding" and "nasty" we are onto week 28! Our final week. Grad week. The Capitol Run. Badge Pinning. It is here! We made it!

Life is surreal right now. Everything that we dreamed of for the last 6 months and more is finally here. I can still perfectly remember laying down with Kev looking out his window at this big leafless oak tree outside, while talking with him about what we were going to do if he didn't get that acceptance letter. The very next day, there it was. And here we are today, preparing for graduation from the California Highway Patrol Academy!

Last Friday was a little more hazmat training and a quick test on what they learned - how to identify hazardous chemicals, spills, and to check their hazmat book to identify the specific chemical type. I guess I was mistaken when I said testing was done, they squeezed in one more ;)

Week 28 will wrap up the last of the training - impounding vehicles. According to Kev, that is the last of it, and the remainder of the time will be grad practice! Unfortunately, the Seniors aren't scheduled to run PT for the Juniors like the previous Seniors were able to do. Kev was excited for that opportunity, but for whatever reason there wasn't time for it. Oh well, it's grad week!

I'll be driving up to Sacramento Tuesday night and staying with Kev's brother and sister-in-law for the week. On Wednesday morning, we will watch Kev and the rest of CTC 1-16 run out of the gates of the Academy to the Capitol, followed by a grad party that night. The cadets pay extra dues while at the Academy to cover their party expenses. We are really looking forward to it. On Thursday, I'll attend a few family seminars in the morning with his parents, and on Friday we will all watch Kev receive his badge. His dad will be pinning him that day. He really wanted to give his dad this opportunity. I know it doesn't mean he loves me any less, but I understand the value of giving your parents these little gifts in life while they are with us. Kev tells me we will have many more, and I know he is right. Our journey doesn't stop here.

I have a ton of great grad gift ideas to share too! It was tough to think of thoughtful, sentimental, and useful gifts for a new Officer when this life is so new to me. So, I consulted with a few friends of mine in law enforcement and listened to a couple of things Kev mentioned he wanted to buy right out of the Academy. I'll be sure to share them soon - I just can't quite yet since Kev reads this and hasn't received his gifts yet. Hopefully it will help some of you with a gift for your loved ones in CTC 2-16 or a future class when they make it to graduation day too :)

- Mimi

Day 186/194 - Badge Numbers!!

Thursday, Week 27!
Kev got his badge number yesterday and graduated with amazing placement in the class! I am so proud of him! I can't believe he has a badge number!!! He also finished his very last test this week. We did it!!

The Academy squeezed in one last PT session for the Seniors and let them play dodgeball. Since the cadets have been running miles and miles in preparation for the Capitol run, this was a nice way to wrap up their last day of PT. Kev said they had fun nailing each other with the balls but when they went back to their mat positions it was finally time to 'empty the bank'! AKA - the 10 push ups added to the bank for every time someone in their class dropped a baton.. remember that rule? The class had 400 pushups to do! Kev said they did 20 pushups followed by a PMA tactic until the bank was cleared. 400 push ups later!! Apparently, 400 was one of the lighter banks the Academy has witnessed too!

Kev also came home last night! It was the first time I walked in the door from work and he was there! It was amazing being in our new home together. We ran to Whole Foods for a healthy dinner and grabbed a Red Box movie but ended up passing out together before we could watch it. We were both beat from the week. It was so hard leaving him for work this morning. My sweet cadet was so happy 'sleeping in'. It was nice too because he didn't mind the lights while I got ready. I guess the Academy prepped him well in that regard too. I definitely have some retraining to do though - my boyfriend has been living with 10 other guys for 6 months. He is going to have to relearn courtesy flushes and holding his cheeks around the house! The scent of my pumpkin spice candles dissipated last night!

8 days left!!

It is a surreal feeling to be this close to the finish line and yet sad in a way too - I never thought I would say that about finishing the Academy! However, even though the Academy was a stressful experience at times along the way, it really was special. Kev made great friends and had the opportunity of a lifetime. Before falling asleep last night, we talked about the last 6 months. Kev has grown so much since he started the Academy. He is stronger and sharper, both physically and mentally. He loved the hands on training at the Academy and lived in such a high energy, regimented routine for so long, that the transition to Officer is exciting but he will miss the daily action of clearing buildings and navigating high speed tracks. It will likely have a heavy load of report writing as he kicks off life as an Officer on probation. The Academy has been stressful, exciting, and tiring. However, it was an incredible experience for Kev as a cadet and for me as a cadet's girlfriend! We are so grateful for the opportunity and are coming out of it in a great place in our relationship and as individuals. Good luck to those of you who are fortunate enough to take the road through West Sacramento's California Highway Patrol Academy too. The experience is what you make of it!

- Mimi

Day 185/194 - Week 27

Wednesday, Week 27!
Week 27 sure has a ring to it! On Wednesday, Kev got his uniform back and had his class pictures! Unfortunately, we were so busy moving this weekend that we didn't have time to cut his hair. We had been buzzing it every Sunday, until the weekend before last when he officially started to grow it back. He talked about having one of the cadets buzz it for him so it was clean for the class photo - part of me was thinking NOOOO we just started growing it back and the other half was thinking I didn't want to point to my fuzzy headed Q-tip in the class photo in 10 years ;) As far as I know, I have the Q-tip in the shot.

I didn't talk to Kev much last night because I got my hair done after work and I have been in full blown cleaning mode at the new place. I really wanted to clean and get as much put away as possible to surprise him when he gets home tonight (Thursday). I think he is going to be really happy. The place looks great! Oh, and of course a huge spider appeared in our bedroom last night while I was home alone. I got innovative, tied a paper towel to a stick and tried to squish it. Then attempting to video it at the same time, the spider fell from the ceiling and I nearly had a panic attack.

Me:




Kev:



So glad he was concerned. Thanks babe! I handled it!

-Mimi

Day 183-184/194 - Start of Week 27!

Monday & Tuesday, Week 27!
Life is good! I've been setting Kev up on FaceTime every night while I unpack boxes after work. I've made such a good dent these last couple days and I think Kev enjoys watching me slave away in pj shorts and my hair in a bun. Just wait babe, I have a whole list of chores for you this weekend ;) I also lost 6 freaking pounds in four days from moving in 90 degree weather and being too busy to eat dinner. What a workout plan!

At the Academy, the cadets had hazmat training for 8 hours on Monday. They learned to test for hazardous materials and read the signs on trucks to identify the contents in the vehicle by locating (I think) a code of some sort in a reference book they were given. Recently on the news, I saw a truck that flipped on the highway and the responders were trying to identify the liquid that had leaked from it. I was wondering if this was something Kev would have to do or not.

On Tuesday, they had another active shooter training - this training scenario always irks me. It will take getting used to that Kev won't just be saving puppies and kitties astray on the highway. Anyhow, there is a building on the Academy grounds where they practice. It has plywood walls and different areas for the cadets to clear. During the scenario, some cadets act as officers and others act as shooters and pedestrians while alarms and music blasts to distract them. They used guns with blank rounds loaded in them for the training. Despite the seriousness, it sounds like Kev enjoyed himself. It's understandable that the hands on training is more exciting that the bookwork. However, he did mention the Sac heat made for a long day.

I get to see Kev this Thursday night since the Senior class has Friday off. Next week he will be at the Academy Monday and Tuesday, and then I get him each night the rest of the week. He is only at the Academy for 4 more full days. I honestly can't put into words how proud, excited, and on top of the word we feel being only a week out from graduation! The feeling is incredible. I am so proud of Kev's accomplishments. The Academy is challenging in so many ways and every single cadet who made it to today, deserves it hands down. To the loved ones who were support systems behind the long weeks, busy weekends, and lonely nights - the day we have been dreaming about is right around the corner!!

- Mimi

Day 180-182/194

Friday - Sunday, Week 26!
We moved into our new home this weekend! We are exhausted but we are officially living together and I'll soon be waking up to the most amazing man in the world every day!

I wish I could be more detailed about last week and Friday at the Academy but we have honestly been so busy. I recall reading the end of other blogs and seeing gaps in days or less detailed posts as their cadet approached graduation, and now I know why! We have been moving, planning for graduation, juggling my job, and Academy life.

Kev had more training with the paintball guns on Friday. Unfortunately, with everything going on I only recall bits and pieces of what he told me about his day. It sounds like they had a good time though. They were trying to shoot each other this time and hiding behind cars, trying not to get hit. At the end, an Officer dumped a box of more 'ammo' in the center of the group and they all darted to it to reload.

The Academy has been busy for cadets as they prepare for graduation. Unfortunately, one cadet was sick recently and is catching up on tests, so that has held up the distribution of badge numbers.

Kev was home by about 7pm on Friday. I had already met his dad to pick up our Uhaul, so as soon as Kev got there we had to start moving things down to the garage. In the morning, his brother came down to help us load the Uhaul and that was the start of our very long, exhausting weekend.  For the record, my old place had two sets of stairs with 38 steps total. We didn't stop moving and unpacking until about 9:30pm last night. Kev was determined not to leave without making sure I was out of the old place and into our new one, in a position where I could handle the rest. I literally couldn't have done it without Kev and his family!

On Sunday evening, Kev also mentioned that he needed to print decals of the highways he will be patrolling to put on the back of his PT shirt for the last two workouts (Monday and Wednesday this week). As easy as that sounds we had the hardest time! Apparently every office supply store sells Inkjet transfer paper but every store, friend, and human in a 20 mile radius has a Laserjet printer which won't work with that paper - it smears the ink! In the midst of moving, running around to every supply store - Staples, Office Max, Michaels, etc - before they close at 6pm on Sunday, was not how we wanted to wrap up our exhausting weekend. Thankfully, we found out last minute that Kev's brother happened to have an Inkjet! Kev got there by about 10pm, printed the decals, ironed them on his shirt for Monday, and headed back to the Academy to fill out his 100 form and pass out just before midnight! I really hope those Staff Officers appreciated it today ;) Ugh! For something that seemed so simple, it sure ended up wasting a lot of our time. So, learn from our struggle and plan ahead for everything while at the Academy. Even though it's just a decal, it's one more thing your cadet wants to avoid getting chewed out for and suddenly getting this little task done is more important than anything. If you don't have an Inkjet printer, you can order 'laser safe transfer paper' online ahead of time.

Thank me later - https://www.amazon.com/Laser-Transfer-Printers-8-5x11-Sheets/dp/B005IXG71U

Class shirts also arrived for CTC 1-16 and they look great!

Cheers to August 1st, graduation month is here!! Woo hoo!

- Mimi

Day 179/194

Thursday, Week 26!
Kev came home for a few short hours on his liberty and made my night! It was so nice to open the door and see my handsome cadet! We wrapped up all the packing and Kev helped me move some of the heavy boxes I packed out of the bedroom so I could actually walk around. We are ready to pack the Uhaul now and move into our new home. I am so excited for us!

It sounds like the cadets had a fun day yesterday. Of course, it's fun because it isn't real life, but we always have to remember that sadly this training is to prepare them for real scenarios. Equipped with paintball guns, the cadets were placed in shooting scenarios.  The staff officers were the shooters. Kev and his partner were talking to a "civilian" about a ticket when the shooter came in. Kev said the shooter got him in the leg and then he got a shot on him. Even though the shot would have taken the shooter down, they kept up the scenario and Kev said the Officers got the next shot between his eyes. Kev has a huge bruise on his thigh from the paintball, but thankfully he had goggles on to protect his face.

The story was exciting but in the heels of recent events, it is also a little terrifying. Kev is definitely able to balance the emotion of a good time and an understanding of the underlying lesson of the scenario. We talked about it a little more before he had to head back to the Academy. He told me that on his ride along, he and the other Officer grabbed lunch but drove somewhere safe (a special facility for police breaks) to eat because he was advised that it isn't safe to sit in your car right now when you aren't alert in your surroundings. He didn't tell me that after his ride along and hearing that truly broke my heart. Our peace officers should feel safe to sit in their car and eat lunch without being harmed. My heart goes out to them. I sincerely hope this world unites sooner than later.

Unfortunately, the heartache continues as once again we wake up to another lost life in law enforcement. Last night a police officer in San Diego was shot and killed, leaving behind a wife and two children. Another officer with him was also shot and injured, he is also a husband and father. I send all my thoughts and prayers to their families, their fellow officers, and all those affected by yet another tragedy in law enforcement. I've never felt so close to their pain. I'm sure all the loved ones of our cadets feel the same way.

- Mimi

Day 178/194

Wednesday, Week 26!
So, I just figured this - there are 16 more academy days left and I will see Kev for 10 of them! Some of the visits will just be in the evening, but I'll take it. He is coming down tonight for his Thursday liberty to help me move a few heavy boxes I packed up and just because he loves me of course ;) This will actually be the time he will come home for liberty since the Academy started. I've gone down to see him, but because of heavy evening traffic and the short time frame before he has to report back, he will usually take the time to go out for food with the guys and study. So, I am really excited to see him tonight!

Kev said he thinks he did really well on his DUI test, but they didn't get the scores yet. He did find out that he aced his Spanish test though! And I officially have the phrase, "cruzar tus dedos detras a la cabeza" stuck in my head! I think that's how you say it. I may or may not have blocked my sweet Spanish speaking broken record of a boyfriend out for a bit ;)

Kev's company had a long day yesterday! PT started at 4:30am and they didn't get out for the day until 10pm! The Academy brought in a retired CHP Officer, and he spent the evening telling the cadets stories about his time as a patrolman. Kev said his that he and his class really enjoyed the speaker. I was half asleep when Kev called me a little after 10pm, so unfortunately he didn't get to share any of the stories with me. He sounded enthusiastic though, so he will have to fill me in soon.

Apparently badge numbers should be out soon too! The Academy seems to always save surprises for Friday, so maybe that will be the day. So exciting!

- Mimi

Day 177/194 - Wet Lab

Tuesday, Week 26!
Yesterday, the Senior class finally had their "wet lab". This is where the Academy gets volunteers 'drunk' so that the cadets can utilize the skills they learned to determine their blood alcohol content. Kev says the volunteers are given alcohol very methodically - a specific number of drinks per hour to obtain the exact BAC desired.

Prior to 'wet lab', was the 'dry lab'. The dry lab was a series of training videos and instruction that showed the cadets the exact symptoms and characteristics of alcohol on the body. Similar to the shaky eyes Kev was looking for when he playfully asked me to follow his finder on Sunday. Once the dry lab training was complete, the cadets were placed in groups and had to guess the BAC of a number of different volunteers. Kev said that the BAC levels of some volunteers were .09 and .1. He said the training was pretty spot on and that he and his group were able to guess the BAC exactly or close to it, based on the characteristics they were trained to spot.

Moral of the story: Don't drink and drive! The CHP will catch you, even if you can walk a straight line!

Kev said there were about 13 stations set up but unfortunately due to time restraints they didn't get to all of them that day. His class has the DUI exam on Wednesday and that is the last big test of the Academy (other than those still wrapping up high-speed). Kev said there is another cumulative exam next week too but he personally doesn't seem to weigh it as heavily as this one.

That's about it for Tuesday. Kev had a night class last night too so we didn't get to talk until later (8:30pm) and then I had to hang up to give him time to study for the DUI exam. He text me good night around 11pm and I know he had PT around 4:30am this morning. These long days and nights are almost done though! Wednesday night liberty was moved to Thursday night in order to make room for another night class about mental health I believe - something to the extent of life as an officer, coping with tragedy, etc. I am thankful they have those.

Good luck on DUI today, babe and CTC 1-16 :) 

16 days! 

- Mimi

Day 176/194 - Start of Week 26!

Monday, Week 26!
The mellifluous sound of graduation details continue to push us forward with an imperturbable spirit! Other than my spirit while I pack the house alone while Kev is stuck at the Academy! I wouldn't suggest moving the week before graduation! I am filling the boxes but then I can't move them because they are too heavy, so I have to patiently wait for Kev to come back! Thankfully he is rounding up his dad and brother to help us this weekend :)

Monday started with PT, and considering Kev made it back to the academy Sunday night after 11pm, you can imagine it was a rough morning waking up at 4am to work out. He also said they received their vehicle code tests back and he passed. He says vehicle code is the only test he ever gets less than a 90% on. There are so many codes and it's just tough to memorize all of them perfectly. High-speed testing continues and everyone is hanging in there right now. Kev said yesterday another guy hit the guard rail and ripped the back door off of the squad car. Since it's considered an accident, he was done for the day and had to write a memo about what caused the crash. Thankfully the incident only left a tattered training car without a door and a good story because the cadet was uninjured. Kev's last big test of the Academy is Wednesday - DUI. He feels pretty confident about it and tried to show me his skills on Sunday when he gave me a sobriety test after is ride along on Sunday. I had been out with my girl friend for a bit having a couple cocktails and enjoying the sun, so for fun, Kev asked me to follow his finger without moving my head. I failed and apparently my eye balls were shaky. However, I took an Uber home so shaky eyes are acceptable when coupled with smart decision making! ;)

Oh yes, and word to the wise! I found out that Kev never really did wash his bullet proof vest cover. This weekend, he was fumbling with the cover of his new vest and wanted to wash it separately since "it was the first time he was washing it". I assumed if he washed his last one that he would have been a little more seasoned taking the new one apart and once he saw my puzzled look, he quickly admitted that he wore the other vest this whole time, running around and sweating all day and never washed it before turning it back in! I highly doubt Kev was the only one, and I am pretty sure the Academy isn't going to take the covers off each one and wash them before passing them out to the next class.. so, wash your vest cover when you get it! My boyfriend is nasty, I'm so sorry ;)

So, there are 18 days left! It's difficult to put into words how we feel right now. Kev's accomplishments over the last 6 months have had such an impact on us both. He is vibrant right now - strong, confident, and proud. You can see it in him, and he deserves it. The standards of excellence that the CHP Academy expects from the cadets transfers over to your life too. I have raised the bar for myself in my career aspirations, personal fitness, and my overall ambition to achieve what I want in life. I want to be the amazing girlfriend that a man like Kev deserves. The CHP truly extracts the best out of the best, and constructs a graduating class that profoundly deserves that badge. I have more respect now for law enforcement than ever before. They are incredible individuals and a blessing to the communities they protect. I'm so lucky to call one mine. We are dreaming of graduation day!

100/131 cadets remain.

* I also updated the graduation details post - we found out there are 2 blue tickets & 4 gold tickets.

- Mimi

Day 173-175/194

Friday - Sunday, Week 25!
So our realization this weekend was that this July has been the best and worst month all rolled in to one! Last Friday, Kev and his company wrapped up the week with their last Spanish test and of course he thinks he is fluent now and was speaking to me in Spanish ALL weekend - telling me I'm under arrest and to interlock my fingers behind my head! Friday night we went for sushi and caught up on life! We have so much to do this week but Friday night was our down time. July has been tough because we really haven't seen each other very much this month. When he had a long weekend for the 4th of July, I was in Texas for a bachelorette, the next weekend we lost a day to the Academy, the one after that we were running around looking for a place to live, and this Sunday he had his ride along. The good - we found a place to live and we are so close to graduation. The bad - we are really busy and haven't seen each other very much. I miss my Spanish speaking best friend!

On Saturday, we were really productive! However, it was 100 degrees in the East Bay and I woke up and told Kev we should make breakfast but for whatever reason, the man who is always hungry every second of the day wasn't this time. After an early start and full day of errands in the heat, we were starving, dehydrated, sunburnt, and far passed hangry by the time we finally ate and drank water at 2pm. It's a miracle we survived;) Anyhow, we got Kev his first real haircut of the Academy on Saturday morning! He is finally growing his hair back! He says some guys in his class have already started. He also said a few guys had the great idea to grow out mustaches but staff quickly told them that wasn't a great idea! We have a video on my phone of the night we buzzed his hair just before day one, so it really feels like we have reached the end now that we are growing it back. I'm glad not to have to buzz it every weekend too, it was a little messy. After his haircut we said hello to his parents for a bit and then ran over to our storage unit to make room for the move. We have a few things we need to fit in there, so we literally pulled out everything in the whole unit, organized what we wanted and packed the rest in his truck for the dumps. We were exhausted. That was my first time at the dumps - basically it seems like a big warehouse where guys get a kick out of throwing their stuff as far as possible into piles and watching it break. Kev wanted to throw everything, but some stuff was perfectly good so I made him stack it to the side in hopes someone might take it! He thought I was hilarious and I thought he was crazy for trying to throw everything he could get his hands on. Well, we somehow had a good time at the dumps! After that, we ran over to Home Depot to buy packing stuff - boxes, tape, and bubble wrap. This was our point of exhaustion, right before we decided we needed food and water! We went to lunch in town and then plopped down on the couch at home exhausted before getting up to start packing. We really wrecked ourselves that day. The PT staff has nothing on a girlfriend trying to make room in a storage unit and move a house ;)

Ride Alongs! 
On Sunday, Kev and a few of the guys had ride alongs. Even though it was a Sunday we both could have used because there is still so much to do, Kev was pretty excited. He coordinated with a few of the guys what to wear and when to meet. Basically it was up in the air between slacks and a polo or jeans. They ended up in slacks if you're wondering, but the staff office did say jeans would be fine. I guess we all know it's always better to be over dressed than under dressed.

The ride along ended up being around 8 hours, so I packed a little more and then took a break with a girl friend by the pool and went downtown for lunch. Kev was so excited when he finished and finally got to call me. He came home to share a few stories before he had to head back to the Academy. He said they pulled over a ton of expired registrations, and he was able to run the computer in the car too. On one stop Kev said he was really excited because he thought the car was stolen but it turns out the guy just had the plates stolen off his car. I guess he was looking for a little action haha. He also said someone called in a kitten on the freeway and one of the other cars got to pick it up! He said he thought of me right away because I always joke that I want his career to be entirely saving puppies and kittens from the highway!

It was a hard goodbye for me Sunday night, but only 2 more good byes left! CTC 1-16, we are SO close! 19 days left to graduation!!!!

- Mimi

Day 171-172/194

Wednesday & Thursday, Week 25!
The week continues with report writing and Spanish. On Wednesday, Kev passed his Spanish practical test and his final Spanish test will be on Friday. On Thursday, he had a full 8 hour accident investigation test. "It was a longggggg day" - Kev.

We are moving along and can't wait to find out how Kev did on his investigation. Some things happened this week that weren't pre-approved for me to write about but it gave me a glimpse at the demanding nature of the career. Over the last couple days we bickered a little. I want to be honest, that although I do believe Kev and I have been so strong and done amazing together on this journey, we have had hard days too. The lifestyle and career are an adjustment. Kev and I aren't married, so unlike some other women who are already married with kids, this is more of a choice for me. I can only imagine the adjustment when you are married to a cadet and have children, and you have to acclimate to a lifestyle you initially committed to while knowing nothing about it. It is certainly exciting at times, but it is scary too.

When Kev initially started the Academy, I was so concerned that I would never hear from him because of all the blogs and stories I read. However, it wasn't long until we realized that those stories were just that, someone else's story. The Academy experience is simply a reflection of the person you share it with. Kev is an amazing guy, he is strong, sensitive, caring, determined and persistent. He aligned his priorities so neither came in second - the Academy or his girl. He is top of the class and has never gone a day without a phone call to me. In light of our experience, I am trying to stay positive about life after the Academy. I understand that break-in will also be demanding, but it is only 3 months. All I want is more time with Kev. He is the man of my dreams and sometimes it scares me that the man I want to marry is entering a world where law enforcement officers are depicted as heartless and being intentionally killed, and where the demands of the job mean little time together. Kev continues to tell me that there are more people who love law enforcement officers than those who don't, and that we will have time together everyday. He promised me I would hear from him whenever he had a chance to call from the Academy, and he kept that promise. In that case, I have to believe he will keep this one too.

Yesterday, a couple officers came in to talk with Kev's class about life changing career experiences they have dealt with. Kev said one important thing he took from it is to share your experiences with your significant other, no matter how hard they may be to hear. I know now, that hearing about those things will initially be difficult for both of us to digest. However, sharing those things will keep us close because I'll know exactly what he is dealing with. Kev says, that way when he is sitting on the couch in silence, I'll know why. It is difficult to anticipate the sadness of the world that he will have to absorb, but I vow to always be his partner and confidant even in the hardest of times.

- Mimi

Day 170/194

Tuesday, Week 25!
Kev and I talked a lot yesterday but not too much about the Academy. He did tell me that they are starting to march again and practicing the graduation ceremony as often as possible. Thinking of Kev practicing graduation makes me so emotional, I can't imagine how I will feel when we are all there actually watching him graduate! I am definitely going to have to hold back tears, 6 months of them! He has also been studying hard for the 8 hour accident investigation test this Thursday. They already took the written report portion of the investigation test, so this is the hands on side. It will incorporate a lot of different aspects of their training and take up the entire day. We will be glad once that is over. The fear of going home does linger, but Kev perseveres everyday as hard as he can. I'm also grateful for his ability to balance time with me amidst long days at the Academy. We still have spoken everyday since the academy started. He texts me every morning now so I wake up to a sweet good morning text and we talk every night.  Some nights we are falling asleep on the phone and other times it is a few brief chats through the night in between my errands and his studies. Ultimately, the Academy has shown me what a great guy I have and I'm proud to call this Officer-to-be mine.

After work yesterday I rushed over to meet the homeowner of the home we will be renting starting August 1st. It has been hard trying to lock down a place for us to live, especially without Kev around and relying entirely on my schedule to coordinate walk throughs. Surprisingly, the place we loved most and nabbed off the market, was one that Kev and I were able to look at together over the weekend. It can be a little awkward taking care of this kind of business without your cadet around and may make you look less stable to someone who doesn't understand - especially since Kev and I aren't married. However, we lucked out because the homeowner's husband was an ex-police officer in the area. Ironically, for the same department Kev's brother also worked for. So, she has been really understanding and patient when there is something we are waiting on Kevin for - copy of his drivers license or approving a credit check request. We are so thankful and fortunate for how well everything is falling into place!

24 more days until graduation! 6 of those days we will be spending together. We are so close and my heart is so full!

- Mimi

Day 169/194 - Start of Week 25!

Monday, Week 25!
Kev and I have a confirmed place to live! I can't believe the Academy is coming to an end, we passed high speed, and I am about to move in with the man of my dreams! We had submitted a couple applications and drove all over this past weekend looking for a place to live. Last night, I received a call from the homeowner of our first choice and we got it! Kev was beeping in on the other end and I couldn't wait to hang up and tell him. We are so happy and feel so fortunate. The place is adorable, two bedrooms, private and bright with lots of windows. There is no one behind us either and has open space below where Kev and I are going to plant vegetables and pumpkins as soon as we can :) I am so happy today thinking of all the amazing things ahead of us!

Unfortunately, another 3 cadets were sent home on Monday for failing high-speed. I am so grateful that Kev passed, especially now that we see how many people are going home lately. I hope they all decide to come back with the Juniors though. We know how much they have endured to get to this point, and can only imagine what they are feeling today. Sending positive thoughts their way.

Big tests ahead:
Thursday - 8 hour accident investigation test
Friday - Spanish written test
Next Wednesday - DUI test

- Mimi

Day 164-168/194

Wednesday - Sunday, Week 24!
Kev and I have been SO busy! The Academy is at full speed ahead and home life has been crazy. A lot of last week was report writing and more high-speed testing for other cadets. Kev said they practiced more Spanish and report writing on accident investigations. There are two report formats they are working on - regular report writing, such as a fender bender and accident investigation when there is an injury or death. Kev says they are groomed on pretty terrible types of accidents and things they might see. Some of the heavier sights being decapitations. Kev usually doesn't share this type of Academy training with me. Typically the heavier things comes up in conversation as I ask him questions. It is definitely hard to talk about, I can't imagine what it is like to see.

High-speed testing continued through Friday and will continue through week 28 for some cadets. On Friday, another 3 cadets were sent home for failing high-speed driving. This included Kev's company commander. Kev said he was a great guy, squared away and would have made a great cop - unfortunately, he just couldn't pass this portion of the testing. Kev expects him to come back when the Junior class reaches week 19.

Sunday was another sad day for law enforcement. Three officers were fatally shot and three wounded in Baton Rouge. Once again our prayers go out to those officers and their loved ones. It is a sad and scary time for law enforcement.

- Mimi

Day 162/194 - Start of Week 24!

Monday, Week 24!
Still no luck with finding a place to live. Kev is always so mellow but I really want to find something for us so I can relax a bit. I'm glad he is always so level-headed though, it definitely balances me out.. a little ;)

Kev said this Monday started with a full perimeter run led by the biggest staff officer. They are all apparently pretty big, but this one is the one Kev says talks in a deep voice like Batman and is really fit with impressive endurance.  He said yesterday the pace was a lot faster than normal in order to prep them for the Capitol run on the Wednesday before graduation. There are also still a lot of cadets in line for high-speed testing this week. Sadly, one cadet just went home because he couldn't pass on his fourth and final attempt at high-speed. I couldn't imagine going home now. I try not to even let my mind go there.

At the end of the day, Kev said they also had their first graduation ceremony practice! For a while he was saying the officers weren't even mentioning graduation so this was pretty exciting! Kev's mom also text me this morning to tell me the graduation info packet arrived. We didn't get a chance to sync yet, but I'm anxious to hear what it says. We really want to know how many people are allowed to attend the graduation. My understanding is that there are limited 'gold tickets' which allow for a gym viewing of the cadets receiving there badge, but there is greater access for family and friends for the pinning ceremony around the fountain. I guess we'll find out!

- Mimi

Day 159-161/194

Friday - Sunday, Week 23!
Another week is done and there are only 4 more Sunday goodbyes left. 4 sounds so small, but this last sprint to the finish line feels like it is taking forever. We are tired. I'm SO ready to have Kev home.

Even though we lost most of our Saturday this weekend, it was an interesting end to the week and ended out working well for us. On Thursday evening, Kev finally had his chance to inspect the Junior's vehicles and write them fix it tickets. It feels like just yesterday Kev was sprucing up his own car over the weekend for the Senior inspection. He finally had his chance and it sounds like he had a good time spotting infractions.

On Friday, Kev's company practiced Spanish DUI and accident investigation report writing. Nothing too exciting. On Saturday, the cadets practiced riot control. It is certainly a little scary in light of recent events, but apparently it was on the calendar for sometime and was coincidence that riot training was this weekend. Riot control is probably the most unnerving part of Kev's training for me to hear about. A lot of aspects of his new life are going to take getting used to. I'm just so thankful for the heavy training Kev is getting at the Academy to prepare him for a long, safe career.

On a lighter note, the cadets also had pursuit driving on Saturday. It was hot out, so while taking turns to drive the cars, apparently the Staff Officers filled up a few water balloons and soaked the cadets. Kev said a couple didn't break and it was tempting to pick them up and toss them back, but of course he didn't ;) After that, a couple cadets left the keys in the squad cars and when the sergeant noticed, he threw them in the 12ft end of the pool and told them to go get them! Lesson learned. In the meantime, I spent the day driving around looking for places for us to live. No luck yet!

Kev made such an effort to see me this weekend and I am SO thankful for him! He drove down Friday night when he got off around 6pm, spent the night and woke up at 4am to make it back to the Academy by 6am for a 12 hour day. Then drove back to see me and home the next evening. He has done such an amazing job of focusing his effort on the Academy but making sure to always make time for me and make me feel special. I'm such a lucky girl.

4 more weeks! 4 more....

- Mimi

Dallas

The purpose of this blog is to document Kev's journey through the California Highway Patrol Academy and share our positive outlook, determination, and honest challenges along the way with those who may be in either of our shoes today or at some point in the future. However, life outside the Academy is very real and certainly has an impact on us. The tragic events that unfolded yesterday in Dallas, Texas are heartbreaking. Being in law enforcement is one of the toughest and most dangerous jobs in America, and our heroes have dedicated their lives to a profession that commits them to ensuring a safe community for us all to live and thrive in. The men and women behind the badge deserve our love, respect, and support. We are all faced with difficult decisions in life, but none like the decisions in the hands of law enforcement. Their sole purpose is to protect and serve the community, but they also have to come home at the end of the day to their families. They too are wives, husbands, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and friends. My heart goes out to the fallen of the Dallas attack, their families and their loved ones and my prayers are extended to all those affected by the recent violence across our nation. Events like these bring fear to all of us with a loved one in law enforcement. Right now, Kev is safe at the Academy but the hate that lies outside the gates makes me fearful everyday that we inch closer to graduation. These occurrences shed light on the gallant efforts of law enforcement everyday and the inherent oppression they also endure. I pray that one day there can be peace and equality for all lives, even blue, across our nation. Every life is precious.

May Kev, his classmates in CTC 1-16 and all other law enforcement live a long, fulfilling, and safe career. The responsibility to respect life lies with all of us.

Day 158/194 - Passed Agency High Speed!

Thursday, Week 23!
Yesterday, Kev passed agency high-speed! Woo hooo! I had dinner at his parent's house last night and apparently he was a little more anxious about passing than he allowed me to see. His mom told me that he asked her not to send out graduation party invites until he passed high-speed. I am always so confident in Kev and trust that he will do well, that I can sometimes overlook his nerves. Kev FaceTimed us when he was off and told us all about the track and testing. He also told me later how pressured he felt to pass because we are starting to look for a home together too. I didn't even think of that. In a sense, I think it is a good thing I don't worry about him and add to his stress. I just believe in him and support him any way I can. He does the same for me by not letting me see his concern, and it works for us. When he needs me, he let's me know. We always end up on the same page.

So, high-speed. Kev sent me a little picture of the track so that he could explain the course and testing. I can't write about everything but I'll explain a little. The track is about 2 miles long, with an "S" turn on one end, a short uphill portion, and a couple rounded turns that loop you back to the start. Kev says you drive at 120 mph with the EVOC instructor in the vehicle and strategically drive the track for about an hour and a half to two hours. He was saying that on some of the rounded turns, you come up to a guard rail at 120 mph and your gut instinct is to turn out of it but you have to steer around the turn - the instructor will also guide you on how to drive. At one point, you are in the vehicle alone and the instructor watches from a tower. Kev says that part was exciting but scary in the sense that when the instructor is with you, they can grab the wheel to help you steer at times but when you're alone it's up to you. He seemed to love the high-speed testing even though it was stressful because passing meant the world to him! He was definitely very enthusiastic when telling us about testing. He had some great stories but unfortunately I am not very articulate in the world of driving fast cars so I won't even try. All I know is that I will be driving this weekend ;)

Kev also received an amazing grade in the high 90s on his report writing exam and passed agency rifle! I'm so proud of him! We are so close!

- Mimi

Day 157/194 - Week 23 & Agency High Speed!

Wednesday, Week 23!
This is the first time I have felt like time has been flying by and I wish I had more of it. As much as I want Kev home, the weeks are gone before we know it and there is a lot to do - both at the academy and at home!

Kev and the Senior class are currently doing EVOC testing for Agency high speed. This is a huge part of the academy and certainly a 'fear-factor' for it's ability to affect attrition. Kev says each of them go out to the track with an instructor in the car and hit the pedal until they hit about 120 mph . Then they navigate the course, including a few turns. The testing period is a little drawn out because the class has to go one at a time and everyone gets up to 4 attempts to pass. The EVOC officers can also only pull the cadets out of certain classes for retesting and avoid pulling cadets from range. Kev had his first attempt yesterday and did not pass. He gets to give it another shot this afternoon. I'll be sending good thoughts his way all day! Kev basically says you need to have the pedal to the floor the entire time and you won't pass if you don't. Out of all of his roommates, only one passed on the first try yesterday and he was a retread who actually failed high-speed during his first time at the academy. Kev's happy for him and confident he will be right behind him, hopefully today! It is a little nerve-racking, but I'm so thankful to have such a driven man. I trust Kev and even though I should maybe worry more, I have so much faith in him and know he is capable of anything he puts his mind to. I used to worry a lot more in the beginning of the Academy. However, after seeing his persistence and stop-at-nothing attitude to achieve his dream over the last 5 months, I just trust that he will take us there and cheer him on every chance I get!

Other than high-speed, the cadets have PT every morning this week since they had a long weekend. They also have to report for a full day on Saturday until 5 PM. I'm hoping he can leave the Academy on Friday night so we can try to see each other though. We are so lucky to only live about an hour away from the Academy.

On Saturday, I have 3 appointments to look at condos for us! I specifically scheduled Saturday so Kev and I could make a day of it, but leave it up to the CHP academy to spoil our plans ;) In the end, I know Kev trusts my opinion sand we have similar taste. I just wish we could look together because it would definitely be more fun! It is also the first place we will live together in! We are both so excited!

I can't believe how far we are now and that we know Kev's area office. I hope everyone reading who is aspiring to achieve the same goal gets to feel how we feel at this point too. It's a sense of accomplishment, pride and unity. We feel so strong as a couple and thankful for each other - Kev for persevering and me for staying strong and waiting for my man.

I love you Kevvy! This time next month you with be graduating next week!! Crush high speed today baby xo

- Mimi