24. Real Love, Real Life
Real Love, Real Life
Cassie's
Watching Levi field questions from twenty-six ninth graders was entertaining.
Every once in a while, he looked over at me as if seeking approval for his answers.
It was adorable how he had made flashcards to help him stay on topic.
I probably should have warned him that you can’t plan with kids.
They have a tendency to make their own plans.
Today was Career Day at Everwood High, where most of us teachers hosted speakers to help students start thinking about their futures.
And for the most part, so far, these kids had listened to an assistant manager convey the importance of being on time, and Milly talk about inventory.
For the last few days, Levi had asked me for pointers.
“Don’t sweat it. They are only freshmen.
None of them is actually planning their lifelong future.
It’s mainly telling them there is more than one path.
Just be prepared to talk about just about anything,” was the only advice I could give him.
He gave that look he always gave me when he thinks I’ve been just about as helpful as a parsnip.
"So, Mr. Marshall," Emma said, raising her hand. She'd been planning this question for days, and she even asked me if it was okay, "when you were in the military, how hard was the training? I’ve seen the movie Renaissance Man, and the victory tower looked kind of fun."
I looked up from organizing my class materials, genuinely curious about his answer.
"Well," he said, taking the question in stride, "I’d have to say the movie does not portray the actual training, except for the part where they were in a foxhole in the rain.” He pretended to shiver at the thought, and the kids laughed. “The training in the military was far harder than the movie. It was closer to taking an algebra exam blindfolded with bombs going off.” That got the attention of the kids who were taking Career Day as free time, looking up. “No, I’m just kidding, but the training was more than physical fitness—though there was a lot of that too.” Levi and the kids laughed.
“The fitness was never just about physical strength.
It was a mental game you played with yourself to carry out the next task.
It was also about the fine line between leadership and following orders.
Most often, leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room.
It's about staying calm under pressure, making decisions with incomplete information, and taking care of the people depending on you.
Those skills transfer to pretty much everything: running a business, volunteering with the fire department or veterans, even just being someone your neighbors can count on. "
I felt something warm settle in my chest. This was exactly why I'd fallen in love with this man—the way he made something that looked like work, fun, and the way he lightened the mood, even when being asked about his military training. Something I doubt Emma, or I, would find fun.
Tyler's hand shot up immediately. "What kind of training did you have to complete?"
"Extensive physical conditioning, weapons training, survival skills, medical training, navigation, communications," Levi listed, and I watched several students nod.
"But honestly, the most important part was learning to work as part of a team where everyone's life depended on everyone else doing their job right. "
Marcus raised his hand next. "My grandpa said he had a hard time going from military life to civilian life. Was that hard for you too?"
I saw something shift in Levi's expression—a brief flicker of something deeper before he answered.
"It was difficult," he admitted. "The structure is completely different, the pace is different, the sense of mission changes.
But I found that a lot of the skills I learned in the military translate.
For instance, problem-solving, working under pressure, attention to detail, reliability.
I learned that I needed to shift my thinking.
As a firefighter, my crew depends on me to lead them with clarity and confidence.
As a Veteran, I need to guide them to make and find mission objectives in their communities and daily life.
Those skills are important, no matter what field you're in. "
The honesty in his answer made me love him even more. He wasn't giving them platitudes or oversimplifying complex realities.
Mandy put up her hand. "What about the seasonal work? Besides being a firefighter, aren’t you a lumberjack too? How does that all fit in?"
"Good question. Seasonal lumber work pays extremely well during the active months, giving me additional income for the things I find important, like helping others.
I combine that with year-round ranch work, plus all my handyman jobs.
For me, the key to my transition to civilian life is being adaptable and keeping busy.
A lot of you will probably end up with careers that don't even exist yet, so learning to adapt is going to be crucial. "
"What about volunteering?" asked Jessica from the back row. "How do you balance that with work?"
"Volunteering with the fire department and the veterans center isn't just about giving back, though that's important. It also integrates the skills I’ve developed, leadership experience, and being part of a team.
Those experiences make me feel more valuable, a part of something bigger than me, like the military. "
Lily raised her hand. "Do you think someone needs a college degree to be successful?"
I looked up at this question. She was my scholastic kid. I was interested in how he'd handle something that directly related to the choices these students would eventually wrestle with.
"Success means different things to different people," Levi said carefully.
"Some careers absolutely require college.
You can't be a doctor or engineer without that education.
But there are other paths, too. Skilled trades, entrepreneurship, military service, and apprenticeships.
The important thing is being intentional about your choices and understanding that whatever path you pick, you'll need to keep learning and growing. "
Perfect answer. I caught his eye and smiled, hoping he could see how proud I was of the way he was connecting with my students.
A boy named Jake raised his hand. "What would you tell someone who doesn't know what they want to do yet?
" His parents wanted him to go to college, but Jake and I had a few talks because he wants to build cars. He has a natural knack for engines, having fixed my truck already once this year. He heard the problem before I knew it was one. He loved hanging out at Jason’s garage after school, much to his parents' dismay.
"That's completely normal," Levi said, and I saw several students visibly relax. "I didn't know what I wanted to do when I joined the military. I discovered that through the technical training I received. The key is staying open to opportunities and being willing to try things that challenge you."
"One more question," I announced as the clock approached the end of the period.
"Mr. Marshall," Marcus said, "what's the most important thing you've learned?"
I found myself holding my breath. Levi glanced around the classroom, drumming his fingers once on the desk as he took in my biology posters, the faces waiting for his response, and then at me with an expression that made my heart flutter.
"Community matters more than anything else," he said finally.
"Whatever career you choose, whatever path you take, surround yourself with people who support your growth and who you're willing to support in return.
Find a place where you can contribute something meaningful, even if it's not the biggest or most famous place in the world.
Build relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Everything else matters less than being part of something bigger than yourself. You need to find your people."
The students nodded thoughtfully, and I could see them processing this idea. When the bell rang and they filed out with their usual controlled chaos, several stopped to thank Levi and ask follow-up questions about military service or trade work.
After they left, I approached him with a smile that felt too big for my face.
"That was perfect," I said, straightening his collar in a gesture that had become as natural as breathing. "You gave them exactly what they needed to hear."
"They're good kids."
"They are. And you're good with them." I paused, studying his face. Then the thought popped into my head. I wonder if he’d ever thought of having kids of his own.
The question surprised me. We'd been together for only a few months, but something about watching him with my students had crystallized thoughts I hadn't considered recently. Hmm, a thought I will have to think about, but for now, I’m thinking lunch and more paper grading.
The rest of the school day passed relatively quickly.
It was routine and familiar. Levi headed back to help at the veterans' center while I finished my day with biology students and tons of caffeine.
At the end of the day, Levi came over to help me with a bookshelf that I tried to put together on my own.
“I think we can both agree I’m not meant for building bookshelves,” I said as a way of greeting when Levi walked in and paused, looking at the lopsided modern art piece I tried to build.
“Stop building things,” he snickered. “It’s harder to rebuild them after you’ve placed,” he paused, “your particular creative touch on the poor item.” He laughed and kissed the top of my forehead.