I never liked guns. I still don’t - they never interested me.  As I child, I always associated any type of gun to weaponry with destruction, explosions and ultimately death.  Media would saturate the news with drive-by shootings, school shootings, suicides and accidents in the home, all involving guns. For me, any situation relating to a firearm only represented one thing - a bad outcome. Even the argument of self-defense was not convincing enough for me to be near one, but not everyone feels this way. People I know, who I am close with, even my business partners own guns or use them for recreational purposes.

I am aware my friends venture out to the gun range from time to time and even though I didn’t understand it, I was curious as to why they would enjoy firing such a dangerous weapon. So, when the chance arose to join them at Winchester Canyon Gun Range with Paratus Training, I took it. Next thing you know, I’m cruising up the mountains on a beautiful day and wondering why I committed to this, was I crazy?! Knowing fear was upon me, there was a reason I took that first step towards conquering it, so I took a deep breath and made my next step onto the range.

I believe a true Warrior is courageous, determined, and has a fiery inner passion that inspires us. I believe that person was Bekah Wright and I’m here to tell you her story.

We danced on the rooftop of a party barge, twirking, laughing, and celebrating our dear friend and bride to be. It was a group of girls from different walks of life getting to know each other. Bekah wore a contagious personality on her sleeve, with a love it or leave it kind of attitude. Everyone loved her! She had us laughing while making everyone feel included.  That long bachelorette weekend was spent talking until the sun came up, learning to dance as Bekah could, and laughing every 5 minutes.

Being 33 and knowing my 4.5 year relationship was coming to an end with a person I loved and enjoyed having in my life was very challenging for me. An emotional tug-of-war began. My ego didn't want to let go of the relationship even though, deep down, I knew it was done.

To be single again and face the reality of that new experience, at my age, was hard. I didn't want to give up the relationship’s identity or see him, happy, with a new woman. What if he found someone before I did? I would have to face all that heart break again seeing them out together or hearing about it through our mutual friends.