[erikpukinskis]

About a year ago I was in a coffee shop and a firefighter walked in to the room. He had the firefighter pants on, with the suspenders down, and a back fitted t-shirt with his unit's logo on the left breast. He was pretty built, well over six feet tall, extremely handsome, soot on his face, and an absolute air of confidence.

As he walked through the room, the energy shifted in a way I have never felt in my 30 years of life. Everyone stopped and stared at him. Gay women. Straight men. Everyone. It was electric.

I've seen extremely attractive women have a similar effect on a room, but to a much lesser extent. Super attractive women often create in a room a mixture of intimidation and resentment along with the admiration and captivation. The firefighter gave this air of "it's OK, I am here to protect" along with his "look at me I am pure beauty". It was wild.

He kept walking up to the counter and I left and went about my day. But I will never forget the feeling. I had no idea a man could do that.

So, firefighters. I understand why kids want to be one.