Today, I have been married to Joel Maxwell for 10 years. I’m blessed. He is a good man. I’m proud to be his wife. He truly is an American hero. A law enforcement officer, US Army officer, entrepreneur, and a wonderful father. He works hard every day not just to make our lives better, but to make this country safer.

Some would define a hero as someone who has performed some great feat. Someone who lost their life while trying to save those in the World Trade Center, or fighting in the trenches in Afghanistan. These are circumstances. I don’t believe it takes severe circumstances to create a hero. It’s not necessarily what a person did in a moment of tragedy, but it’s what they WOULD do if called upon. I know my husband would have run into to those buildings as everyone else ran out. I know that he would serve proudly if the Army called him to war. Time and Space are all that have kept him from such things. When his Army unit was sent to Iraq, Joel was left behind because of an injury. Perhaps he feels this means he didn’t serve his country. But I know the truth. During those 18 months, he took an impressive number of drunk drivers off of the road. He was at home, protecting and serving. Because that is what he does, that is who he is.

I love you Joel.