Ice Man

Interview #2 - Wes aka Iceman

“I’m hungry!”

Wes looked over at me with his “you’re my favorite brat” expression, “Blaze, I’m going to start cooking right now.”

Yes, I am a lucky girl! I sat on his big squishy couch for a moment contemplating what I should do while he whipped up a scrumptious meal. I could read, I could watch tv or I could do what I’d been putting off and interview him.

I grabbed a pen and paper and skipped into the kitchen, “Mmm! It smells…chickeny! Ready to be interviewed?” I asked.

“Sure!” he exclaimed without hesitation.

And so, we began, “What comes to mind when you think of the word ‘courage’?”

“A lot of military movies…Colin Powell, he was a prominent figure that overcame a lot of adversity.”

A smile spread across my face. This was going to be much different then interviewing a woman. I started to get excited.

Wes grew up as a military brat. His family was always moving from state to state, base to base making it nearly impossible for him to have lasting friendships. In his life, being the new kid equaled being the new prey. Someone to pick on and tease to make that 4th grade girl giggle or to make the class forget the time they caught you picking your nose. He was an easy mark and the little teasing and two-faced “friends” started to harden his heart. It became almost impossible to feel he could trust anyone. He was suddenly a young cynic. He relied on books to be his lifeline and at an early age began to find comfort in writing.

Writing and reading are two true passions of his. You can often find him at a coffee shop or bookstore furiously scribbling in a notepad. He is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met. I used to admire how humble he was but I came to realize that he just didn’t know how great he was.

I asked him to tell me some ways that he deals with stress. As he named a few activities I started to realize that they were all healthy and responsible, which in my head screamed, unrealistic!

I looked up at him, “You’ve listed off some very good ways you deal with stress; exercise, writing, video games. Have you ever dealt with stress in an unhealthy manner?”

His eyes drooped and he looked down at the floor for a moment, “Yes. When I found out I had to serve in Iraq. I was angry and sad…and scared so, I drank…a lot.”

I felt a lump grow in my throat. He rarely talks about Iraq and when he does he gives no details. I’ve never wanted to poke and prod about that time in his life but he served in Iraq for an entire year so I can only imagine how challenging it must have been. He went on to tell me stories of his drinking. At that time he did not want to think about the hardships he was about to face so he tried to cover all his feelings with alcohol. He was drinking day and night to the point of sheer embarrassment. I can’t blame him but thankfully I also can’t imagine him that way. In the year and a half that I’ve known him I have never ever seen him drunk. He said that the shame that drinking brought him made him quickly change his ways.

Today Wes is a stronger, more confident man then he’s ever been. He’s finishing up his last few college courses. He’s gotten more than one promotion since I’ve met him. When the doctor said his cholesterol was too high he took the initiative to change his lifestyle and be in control of who he wants to be. He goes to the gym nearly everyday and he cooks me delicious healthy meals almost every night. Score! Wes is the most well-rounded, fun and loving man I’ve ever known and it is an amazing blessing to have him in my life.