05/31/2026
Every shift, before the badge went on and the streets pulled me into whatever the night had waiting — I stopped here. Right here. A kiss on the forehead. A whisper they were too young to fully understand.
It was never a maybe. Never “if I have time.” This was non-negotiable.
Because out there, nothing is promised. I knew that better than most. So I made sure that no matter what the night became, the last thing my kids felt from me was love. Not the rush. Not the worry. Just Dad’s here, and Dad loves you.
They thought it was just goodnight.
For me, it was everything I needed to carry me home.