(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — After 35 years, a Colorado Springs firefighter celebrated his retirement on Saturday, July 12, at Station 15, a red brick building that has hosted nearly every big event in his life. It was there that a surprise visitor showed up to make his retirement party that much more special.
At Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Station 15, crew members know every shift can bring something unexpected. And it’s here that Alan Kent reflected on a call from 21 years ago that no alarm bell in his 35-year career could have prepared him for.
“Had a call about 6 o’clock in the morning, I believe,” said Kent. “We get there, we pull up, and I hear screaming upstairs, and I’m like ‘I think we’re going to have a baby.'”
Her name was Chloe.
“I got the opportunity to bring her into this life,” said Kent.
Their story could have ended there, a single, unforgettable moment. But something else was born that morning along with Chloe Huddle — a friendship.
“He’s kind of been part of our family for 21 years,” said Huddle.
With their birthdays just days apart, they have reunited at the same place they first met, year after year.
“I was born on February 15th, and his birthday is 23rd of February,” said Huddle. “And so we’ve always just been celebrating our birthdays together.”
Two years ago, Kent watched Chloe walk across the graduation stage at the Classical Academy. “We kind of made a pact,” said Huddle. “He would come to my graduation, wedding, and then I would come to his retirement party.”
It was a pact she was determined to keep. When Kent hung up his hat for the final time, he didn’t expect her to make the trip to see it happen. “I came down to Phoenix to come surprise him,” said Huddle. “They didn’t know I was coming in, so it’s kind of cool to surprise him as well.”
“It means the world to me,” said Kent. “You know, there would have been a puzzle piece that’s missing if she didn’t show up. You know, I’ve watched her from a little baby to where she’s at now, a beautiful young woman.”
Huddle, now a student at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, said she wouldn’t have missed the day for anything. “I’m happy for him. He is loved and serves the community well, and so I’m happy that he gets to love and serve the community and in much different ways, but in much safer ways.”
In a place built to answer the bell, one call 21 years ago brought them together, and continues to bring them back again and again.
“I graduate from college next May, and so he will probably be there for that,” said Huddle. “I’m sure he’ll be a part of our lives forever. I don’t think there’ll ever be a birthday or celebration where he’s not there.
As far as retirement plans, Alan Kent adamantly said “no” to golf, because he’s not a fan. But, he did say he wants to do some traveling with his wife, and get in some fishing.
