This article focuses on the challenges and opportunities a researcher may encounter in practice, and presents four narratives that take the reader into situations which may arise when the researcher steps into the practice field. Episodes that challenge the researcher both cognitively and emotionally are depicted in the narratives. The authors describe their experiences, the prior understanding they have when they enter the situations and the reactions these lead to. Experiences that are close to practice are placed in a theoretical context so they can be analysed and understood through the lens of theory. This text may function as a thinking tool for researchers about to enter the same researcher role, and it is thus relevant for other researchers who wish to be part of close research partnerships. Hopefully, the article will contribute to discussions that may prepare researchers for unpredictable events.