“The second year we were dating, he asked me if I was strong enough,” Nelly said. “I kind of realized what he was saying, because he could be sent out in a storm. Or he could be sent out somewhere.

“And if we get married and we have kids, I would have to be strong enough to be without him, or … be the only parent with our kids and our family,” she said. “At first, it was kind of like, oh, do I really want to do this. But in the end, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Sometimes, Nelly said, Michael is away for weeks at a time, like when other electric utilities call on Oncor to help rebuild after hurricanes on the East Coast or wildfires in California.

“Of course you always worry when he’s out on call and he’s gone all night,” Nelly said. “And it’s always the not knowing. Not knowing if he’s coming home, and you just pray. Did he eat? Does he have enough energy? Is he being safe? It’s just the not knowing … if he’s coming home.”

Nelly started working at Oncor in 2019, which has helped her understand more about Michael’s work and the commitment it takes.

“Having my spouse work at the same company that I work at definitely helps,” Michael said. “Her seeing it firsthand. She’s part of the restoration efforts at times.”

Michael said his family has always supported him in his job at Oncor. When storms are approaching, they watch the weather together. And when they hear the thunder and see the lightning, they expect the phone will ring.

“When he has to leave, it’s not so much coping, you just keep yourself busy,” Nelly said. “Taking the kids to school, going to work. Just understanding that he’s out there helping other people.”