I was at Kroger picking up some groceries so Jamie and I could enjoy our Friday night together. We had both just gotten out of work and looking forward to spending the night watching scary movies and lying around. I was checking out and felt my phone vibrate. I looked down to see Jamie’s name on my phone screen. I picked up; she sounded different. She was rambling, saying that our neighbor ran over as Jamie soon as she pulled up to tell her someone was in our backyard. I did not believe her, but I was only down the street at the store, so I raced home. I found Jamie standing in the street with our neighbor staring at the house. I confidently explained that all was well and told her I would check out the perimeter before we went in.

I took cautious steps across my lawn as if it was a Scooby-Doo mystery and my confidence was waning. I peered over our tall privacy fence to see that our bedroom window had to be broken open and there could be someone in the house. I ran back to the street, fumbling for my phone to call the police. This moment will be one I never forget. When you are young you feel in control; nothing can happen, and you are the master of the universe. And at this moment, I was not in control. Our dogs, all possessions, and lives are in the house. I juggled trying to remain calm, console Jamie and figure out how to get the cops to the house as quickly as possible.

Nashville Police responded within 4 minutes. These 4 minutes felt like an eternity. I did not hear any barking, and if you have ever met our dogs, they are exquisite at barking. I got Jamie into her car so she would be out of the way as the officer approached me and the house. He confirmed that there could potentially be someone in our home. He did not hear any barking. He radioed for backup so they could sweep the house. The next two officers arrived in minutes as I tossed them the keys to my front door while I pulled a 9-iron from the back trunk of my Ford Expedition.

As time went on I got more instinctual, my thought process change. More efficient. At least I think so. I believe this is adrenaline. I knew Jamie was safe. Check. I knew the dogs could be in trouble. Check. I knew that there was a problem. Check. My safety was irrelevant. Check. Fix the problem. Check. Besides, if someone was going to try to escape after breaking into my house and robbing me of more than belongings, I was a least going to take a swing or 2. I don’t want to hurt anyone or get hurt. But I was not thinking clearly. I readied my aim as the officers came back out from the house. “Do you see two small dogs?” I yelled from the street, “Yeah, I see two little shits right here!” Exclaimed one of our neighborhood friendly police officers. They found no one was in our home. Whoever it was did manage to scare the hell out of our dogs, mess up our house and steal as much as they could carry.

We are all safe and sound. This could have been way worst, and I am thankful that we are here to talk about it. In the end, a few stolen speakers, trip-money change jar and cash are nothing compared to having the people you love with you unharmed. I hope that whoever took our stuff (and sense of security) made it worth it.

I know that they suck and we are still badass.

On a funny side note…I ordered a security system for the house the day before this happened. The irony, am I right?

-YourFriendMatt