Congratulations CTC IV-16

Congratultions to the new CHP Officers from CTC IV-16!!! May you all be safe while you're out there keeping us safe!!

Oh man guys! These past 5 or so days have been a BLAST and everything we thought it would be and more!!! Thursday I attended the spousal panel and got to experience lunch with J in the "chow hall". It was actually a REALLY delicious lunch and J laughed and told me this is a rarity and it is NOT how they eat on a daily basis. The spousal panel was also really interesting and very I nformative on the break-in phase of their career. We were luckily enough to have 3 CHP wives come in and talk to us about their experience. Luckily for me, I didn't feel too overwhelmed with information because J would constantly keep me in the loop or educate me on certain things. I will say though that the 1 thing that really stuck with me was the fact that all 3 women told us that it is NOT all about the officers. We as the wives/ husbands/ significant others also need to be taken care of and if our officers are being assholes (one of the wives words, not mine HAHA), they need to know. Fortunately I'm blessed to have a really awesome relationship with J, but I will definitely be keeping that in the back of my mind 😉. Looking back at the seminar and all of the speakers, I can say whole heartily that the CHP really is an awesome organization and that they really want all of their officers to succeed. When everything was done, I went with J to his room and helped him pack the last of his things and we headed home. The rest of the day was spent packing for our weekend Tahoe trip and entertaining family. All of our family members were arriving Thursday and wanted to see our house, so we just had everyone meet there.

Friday, aka GRADUATION DAY, we all woke up super early to get ready! J left the house around 4:30am to get to the academy and shine his boots & brass one last time, then get ready. We left around 5:30am, had breakfast at the Dennys near the academy, then headed in!!! The first "event" was the inspection by the commissioner and the first time we'd get to see J in his uniform. Luckily for us, J was also the B Co. guidon, so it was VERY easy to spot him. When A Co. was getting inspected, I spotted B co. in the distance and patiently waited for them to march in and wait. I walked a little closer to get a better look at J and instantly started tearing up. He looked SO HANDSOME in that uniform he worked so hard to earn. When it was their turn, I must say their marching was THE BEST 😎. We watched and snapped pictures as the Commissioner and other important dudes walked up to J, shook his hand and congratulated them and asked him questions. Once he was done and marched away, I showed our family where J would be for the pinning and his parents, brother and I made our way to the gym. The rest of our family was able to go into a classroom and watch the live stream. We patiently awaited the arrival the cadets, and once they started marching into the gym, it was waterworks all over again. They all looked so good in their uniform and their marching was great! They marched in a little differently from previous graduations and luckily for us we were on the correct side of the gym to see them! Many speeches were given, and awards handed out, but soon enough was the moment we were all excited for: the receiving of their badges!!!!!!!! When J got closer, his brother and I were able to get closer to the stage to snap some pictures. They called his name, badge number and area office and I couldn't help but smile! All of the tough days, late nights, sore muscles and studying he had to endure made that one moment so worth it. We took our seats, listened to them recite their oath, and watched them march out as the newest OFFICERS of the California Highway Patrol (OOH- RAA). We left the gym and waited for them to come out to the quad  so we could pin them! When J came out and stood at attention in front of us, he gave us a quick smile- I joked with him that I would stand in front of him and dance to try and make him laugh- which I did! We were called up to approach our new officers while they held out their shiny new badge. I took it from J and gave it to my uncle (the CHP officer who helped get J where he is today) to pin onto him. My uncle gave him great words of advice, and I just tried to mumble that I loved J and was so proud of him through my sobs. We took turns taking pictures before they gathered one last time to recite their class chant! (I just missed the beginning where they say CTC IV-16) 

We all yelled and yelled and I congratulated J's roommates! J changed out his uniform, and off to Tahoe we went for a celebratory weekend!! The weekend was EXACTLY what we needed after a crazy 2 weeks! We all relaxed in the cabin, went out for beautiful hikes, hit the lake and of course J and I went out for runs together. We definitely want to try and make this an annual thing and stay at different cabins all around the lake. But for now, I'm going to enjoy the stress free days I have with my Officer because I know once break-in hits; it's going to get crazy! 

194 days of the Academy... DONE!!!

💚 AJ