Join the FDNY in Celebrating Valentine’s Day 2023

Happy Valentine’s Day! Join us today in celebrating what is known as the most romantic holiday of the year by meeting The Middletons, as well as newly engaged couple Robert Donate and Christine Camacho.

Division Chief Cheryl Middleton and Deputy Chief Terrance Middleton 

If any couple knows what it takes to have success in love, marriage and a career, it’s The Middletons. This FDNY power couple has been married for more than 15 years and they have four kids and two grandkids. Not only are they in love with each other, they also have a special love for the FDNY. Cheryl has been serving in EMS for 34 years and Terrance for 35 years.

Join FDNY: You two have been together for many years and you’ve worked together for many years. Tell us how do you get that work/life balance?

Division Chief Cheryl Middleton: I think the key is putting each other first. The job is one thing, but we both make an effort to make each other a priority. I think communication also plays an important role in success. Every day after work, I call him and I speak to him the entire way home about his day and my day and then when I get home, we don’t talk about work anymore. After that, it’s personal time for us to enjoy together. We eat dinner together and just enjoy spending time with each other. That’s the balance. Our kids are grown too, so we have a lot of us time now.

Deputy Chief Terrance Middleton: My biggest asset on this job is meeting my wife here. She’s the love of my life, my partner and my best friend. When it comes to balance, you have to make sure you understand that there’s work and then there’s time outside of work. I dedicate a lot of my time to making sure I’m doing my part to make our relationship better. It’s important to me that she stays happy. Whether it’s planning our next vacation or just spending time with each other doing what we love to do together. That’s the balance.

Join FDNY: It’s Valentine’s Day and today is known as one of the most romantic days of the year. How will you two be celebrating?

Deputy Chief Terrance Middleton: For Valentine’s Day, it’s no secret that you have to start planning early and every year I try to figure out what I can do to make it different. Every year, it’s a special dinner and we have a lot of fun being together.

Join FDNY: Finish this sentence for us: Valentine’s Day is …?

Deputy Chief Terrance Middleton: That’s easy. Her day.

Division Chief Cheryl Middleton: Wherever he is. He’s my best friend and when we’re together, whether it’s a date night or just sitting on the sofa relaxing, I’m happy.

Principal Administrative Associates Robert Donate and Christine Camacho

This FDNY power couple shares a special bond as well because they work in our Bureau of Fire Prevention as Principal Administrative Associates. Robert joined the Department in 2009 and his fiancée, Christine, joined in 2019. This past April, Robert popped the big question and Christine said, “Yes.” The two FDNY members have been together for four years.

Join FDNY: Let’s talk about the proposal. Where did it happen? Why did you choose that special moment?

Public Administrative Associate Robert Donate: The proposal happened at her dad’s house while celebrating her birthday. Our birthdays are about two weeks apart and it felt like it was the right moment to do it. I was trying to compliment both of our birthdays with a special surprise.

Join FDNY: Now that’s romantic. Christine, how did you feel when this all happened? 

Public Administrative Associate Christine Camacho: He surprised me with the ring disguised as a birthday gift. He gave me a gift bag with other presents he had gotten me and hid it in there. I was hoping that we would be getting engaged and I got my birthday wish. It was extra special because he chose to propose in front of my dad and stepmom.

Join FDNY: Have you started wedding planning yet?

Public Administrative Associate Christine Camacho: At the moment, we are currently enjoying our engagement and will be wedding planning within the next year.

Join FDNY: It’s Valentine’s Day and today is known as one of the most romantic days of the year. How will you two be celebrating?

Public Administrative Associate Christine Camacho:  We will be going out for Korean BBQ. We’re both foodies, so we really like taking the opportunity to wine and dine each other.

Join FDNY: What is the best part about working in the same career as your fiancée/fiancé?

Public Administrative Associate Robert Donate: We love it! We are down the hall from each other and are there if we need each other’s help with something. We just love spending time together and wouldn’t have it any other way.

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