A firefighter’s callout in 2004 turned into a bond that has lasted decades.

Alan Kent, now retired, responded to a medical call in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Feb. 15, 2004, and found Stacy Huddle about to give birth to her daughter, Chloe Huddle.

“We heard Stacy upstairs screaming. I was like, I think we’re going to have a baby,” Alan recalled to AZFamily.

Chloe said, “Alan was the first person to hold me and we’ve had a special bond ever since.”

After Stacy gave birth, she brought Chloe to the fire station to reconnect with Alan and the others who helped with the delivery. Chloe then celebrated her birthdays at the fire station while growing up.

Alan has also stayed part of Chloe’s major life events. When she graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix on April 24, he traveled about 800 miles, around 1,287 kilometres, to watch her receive her degree in educational studies.

“Since I’m retired, I’ve got a little bit of time. But even if I wasn’t retired, I wouldn’t miss this,” Alan said.

Chloe told AZFamily, “It just means the world to me that I have so many people here to support and celebrate me in this big life moment.”

Alan is also on the guest list for Chloe’s summer wedding.

“In our line of work, you know, we don’t usually have all the time good things happen,” Alan explained. “And sometimes very bad things happen in our careers, especially in the fire service.”

He continued to AZFamily, “To have something as great as this was, and then to continue out throughout the years to watch her grow, that’s been that connection, that bond throughout the years.”