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For Cadet First Class Sam Zaldo’s Firstie session at West Point, we decided to visit all of the iconic places around campus. We started off in front of Washington Hall, made our way to Trophy Point, and finished up doing the loop around Beat Navy tunnel and the roof of Eisenhower Hall.

Sam actually worked with my husband during their time at Fort Sill. Crazy enough, Sam even brought it up how Barron would help him write his entry letters/ other things necessary for his application to USMA. Small world, right? The further along we get into this Army journey, the smaller it seems to get.

As we were walking around taking photos, Sam told me about things he was excited for, things that he was hoping for, and things that he wanted to be different than his experiences previously in big Army.

For those who don’t know, a Firstie is in their fourth year (a senior) at the United States Military Academy. They have gone through physical, mental, and emotional training to prepare them to lead the nation’s military into whatever phase the next order is. At one point I had told Sam to “look into the distance” and he responded with “at my future you mean” (lol). But really.

These guys come to this institution as kids, and leave with so much more than they ever could imagine gaining.

Even as I was taking these for Sam it was hard not to think of who my husband, Barron, was when he was a cadet while we were dating, to who he is now ten years later. The changes that will happen and the changes that have happened are very few that most people will ever understand, especially if you have not gone to a military institution.

The time spent at West Point feels long in the moment, but it does go by fast.

Make sure you have yours documented by booking a firstie session at sarazlehleitner.com/seniors.