This is How it Began :)

Like thousands of other ladies out there, I am the wife of an Over-the-Road truck driver. This title in itself is a job, as I am responsible for the day to day tasks that is usually handled by the husband. However; with his career keeping him away from home several days a week, most everything falls into my lap. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I'm a very proud wife that supports my husbands job. I'm just stating there are times when I wish my husband could be here to handle situations that sometimes arise. I know it may seem that being the wife of a truck driver is simple, but as you read on you will quickly see it's not.

I met my future husband, Steven, in 1997, and at that time he had already been a truck driver for six years. I knew from the beginning that this was his job and it was going to mean a lot of alone time for myself. I had already known a little about what the trucking business was like, as my dad was a trucker when I was a child. I remember many nights my mom and I were at home alone while my dad was out making a living to support our family. I remember sitting at the dinner table wishing my dad were there with us, but he was out doing what needed to be done to make ends meet. Even though I know it was hard on him and my mom when he had to miss a birthday or holiday, they loved each other very much and they knew times like this would happen. When occasions like this would arise, my mom always made sure I had an amazing day and my dad would always make sure he called and talked to me and wanted to hear all about my day!

Seeing all these things growing up as a child, when I first met my husband I wasn't sure if I was able to handle some of the things that came along with being with a truck driver. However; the love we share for each other outweighs the loneliness that sneaks in when he is out on the road. I will admit it hasn't been easy, but he is the love of my life and I support his career and the obstacles that come with it. Some of you might think a trucker's life is a piece of cake, just driving across country making deliveries, well I'm here to tell you this job comes with a lot of stress, loneliness and  emotional weight on all parties evolved.

The first time I took a trip with my husband on the big truck I was twenty three years old. My children were ages three and four at the time and I packed them a bag and they joined us. I quickly learned having little ones cooped up in a bunk for several hours at a time is nerve racking. At first  they were full of excitement, ready to ride in the semi. After the first night the excitement began to wear off and turn to boredom. I was expecting this to happen, as they were two energy filled children wanting to run and play, which is impossible while riding down the interstate. After that first trip, I decided it would be best to just wait a while before taking another. The kids needed to be home where they can be free to run out their energy and sleep comfortably in their own beds. This was the first of many nights I was alone while my new love was thousands of miles away working. I knew this was something I had to get use to if we were going to be together. So I began to weigh my pros and cons. As you can tell by me writing this, I went with the pros!

Steven and I have now been together a total of nineteen years, married for 12. In those years, there have been many trips across the United States with him in the semi, some with the children and some with out. Now that the children are grown and on their own, it's just me and Steven driving down the interstate delivering in all parts of the US. I cherish the times I ride with him. It allows us to have quality time together, something we are unable to have when he is out on the road alone. One thing I have learned being a passenger is, there is so many different people in the world and so many things going on that I would have missed if I was at home. One of my favorite things to do when I am traveling with my husband is getting the chance to stop at special landmarks and take in the beauty the world has to offer. I think the best thing I have seen is when we were in Montana. Steven woke me up one night and we were parked on the side of the road. He asked me to slip my shoes on and step outside of the truck. When I did, he turned out all the lights off and told me to look up at the sky. I was in awe, there were millions of stars scattered across the dark sky! I have never seen so many stars in my life, it was truly breathtaking! I could have stood there for hours watching the twinkles in the sky, it's definitely an experience I will never forget.