An overprotective father is somewhat of a guarantee for every little girl (even as we grow up, they still like to hold on). Try being a little girl with an overprotective father who combats terrorism for a living. Yeah, try finding a guy to take you to homecoming with one of those.
We live in an age where not only questioning, but harshly criticizing our law enforcement personnel is neatly weaved into many big headlines that we often see pop up on our social media feeds. That is why, now is a better time than ever to show you a little peek into the world of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Or more accurately, the world that raised me.
My dad is an FBI Agent, what does yours do?
As a child, I never saw my dad. He woke up when I was still fast asleep and came home after my mom had finally gotten me to bed. The only indication I ever had of him being there during the week was the kiss he would plant on my forehead after a long day of work. Most of the time I would be asleep during this, but every now and then, on the brim of a dream, I could feel him standing over me.
After protecting your family, he would come home and protect his.
When I was learning cursive, he was getting briefed on threats to our country. When I was in ballet class, he was pursuing evil criminals. When I was running through the sprinkler with my little brother, he was doing his best to fight the bad in the world so maybe my siblings and I would have a chance to see the good. I have lived a normal, safe life because of the work he and the thousands of other FBI agent have done.
I have learned that even though it is clear to me exactly who the FBI is and what they do for us, I still encounter many people who simply do not know or understand the mission of this organization. From the mission statement of the FBI it states, "to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States." That covers it really. From money laundering to bank robberies. Human trafficking to domestic terrorism. People like my father and the other FBI agents in my life work to abolish such operations so that maybe tomorrow there will be a little less bad in the world and a little more good.
No one, including myself, sees the work they do as they do it. Yet if you need proof for the important investigations the Bureau conducts you need simply to do a few things. Go to school. Kiss your mom goodbye. Choose to take a drive to the market. Worry about your acne. Read your favorite book.
It is the men and women of the FBI who have contributed to upholding the freedom that we have been so privileged to be guaranteed. The freedom to live our day-to-day lives without the anxiety of something really bad happening.
So I hope that you have seen a little more of the human side of this, to many, elusive organization. I hope that you understand that these FBI Agents are not only the job they do, but they are someone's family. My family.
They brought bundles of balloons when I was born.
Taught me how to ski.
Cheered me on at my high school graduation.
Never missed a dance recital.
They are people who raised me.
I am the product of an FBI upbringing. My dad, uncles and aunts who all have sworn to defend and protect the well-being of this country have brought me up to love my family and my country and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
I am the daughter of an FBI Agent, for which I will be proud of until the day I die.
Dedicated to my father and our proud FBI family. You know who you are.
