Thursday, February 11, 2010

" One Million Miles "



Well here he is. My husband Jake. We have been married for twenty years. We have had our trying times but we always have worked our way through them.

My husband is an over the road truck driver. He got his commercial drivers license shortly after we met. Most of our marriage has been spent apart. We figured it out recently. Counting days off, vacation days and sick days, we have been together for approximately seven years out of our twenty.

Most of our time spent together is over the phone. We spend a lot of time on the phone. We talk at least six times a day to each other. Being a truck driver is a very difficult job. There are the obvious everyday situations that he has to deal with such as weather conditions and crazy drivers. But there are many additional aspects that one may not readily think of.

For example, imagine what it would be like to live in a small van. There is no bathroom. there is no kitchen. My husband does have a small refrigerator that he keeps lunch meats and milk for his cereal in but that's it. He doesn't eat at truck stops very often and some weeks not at all. They are very expensive. Can you imagine how much it would cost to eat in a truck stop restaurant or even a McDonald's, twice a day everyday. Keep in mind that these places off of the interstates charge more than others.

Also, you can't just pull a big rig into any parking lot that you choose. He is very limited. Most of the companies that he delivers for, won't let the drivers use the bathrooms so if they are there getting unloaded for hours that's just too bad.

Being on time. Oh this is a big one. If he is late on a load he will get fired. So allowing for the traffic and the weather and any other road hazards that may come his way he must be on time. Just a little stress there.

My husband is a professional driver through and through. He has been working for the same company for almost eight years now. No customer has ever complained about him and he has never been late. One time he broke his foot coming down off of a loading dock.

No one at the company that he delivered at would help him. So he got back in his truck and drove himself to the hospital. After he got his cast on, he drove himself home. I couldn't even imagine doing something like that. Did I mention that he is very stubborn as well?

My husband has had to miss many milestones in our childrens lives. Especially Katie's. Think about it. How do you know when your child will sit up, crawl or take their first step? Sure he would get to see it when he would be home but it's not quite the same as seeing it for the first time. We have a lot of video's!

Most of the time his company can get him home for major family events or emergency's. Still it's not always quick enough. When I had my stroke it took him hours to get home. When my mom passed away recently, it wasn't until the next day. Imagine wanting to be with the one you love knowing that you are hours or days away.

Holidays are always interesting. We never know until that very week if he will be home or not. It makes things hard to plan. Sometimes we don't even know until the day before. I could go on and on.

Growing up, my husband dreamed of being a truck driver. I dreamed of being a housewife and mother. It seems that we both got what we dreamed for. We just didn't realize that our dreams would keep us apart. This weekend will be another Valentine's Day spent apart. We've only been together for it once or twice. It used to really make me sad. It still does but I've adapted.

So my reason for posting about my husbands job tonight is that he just reached his own milestone recently. In the past seven years at this company alone, he has hit his One Million Mile mark. That's One Million Miles driven without a ticket or an accident!

I'll never even drive a million miles in my lifetime.

I am very proud of him. He is a professional driver. He is a good husband and father.
He is a good man. And even though it will be yet another Valentine's Day spent apart,
we will be together in our hearts and on the phone of coarse!

31 comments:

Lynilu said...

He sounds like a remarkable man, Di. There are so many truckers that don't have his sense of ethic, so that makes him just all the *more* remarkable. I'd be proud of him, too.

I think the most rewarding lives are not the ones that have been easy, but the belong to those who have worked hard to make life significant. Obviously, you two have done that. Good for you both.

Happiness to you both. :)

Diana said...

Hi Lynilu!
I get to hear all of the bad stories about truckers. They used to be the hero's of the road. Unfortunately times have changed. I am proud to say that my husband is still one of those hero's. Dealing with all of the slime that's out there isn't easy for him I know. This makes him all the more special to me.
Love Di

Barb said...

You've given Jake a wonderful Valentine tribute, Di! It would surely be better if he could be with you, but what is in your heart is pretty special. Happy Valentine to both of you!

Diana said...

Thanks Barb, I am so proud of him!
Love Di

Wanda..... said...

Sounds as if you were made for each other Di. Even before this post one could tell how much you love and respect Jake and he must truly appreciate having you as his Valentine.
Love...Wanda

Lynilu said...

Di, I'm old enough to remember the days of the "good guy truckers," and it's really too bad things have changed. He is special, indeed.

Bernie said...

Oh Di, I love this post. The love you have for Jake shows through in every word. You two are perfect for each other.....and you know he is always with you in your heart.
I'm wishing you both a beautiful Valentine's Day and I know the phone calls will be extra special. Love you both......:-) Hugs

Stephanie said...

Hi Diana-
WOW! That is sooooo cool and without blemish, what an accomplishment.
I can't imagine the life of a truck driver or even the wife of one. Your post gave a glimpse into a world most of us never considered.
I love meeting other people who embrace the institution of marriage. It suffers so much attack but holds so much promise.
Thanks for always stopping by!

Blessings each day said...

I think just how often to talk to one and other each day...that speaks volumes. You two probably really connect and communicate more than most couples who see each other every day!!

Jake has done so much to be proud and I know those of us reading this are blessed to know him through you. It's reassuring to know that there is still a hero on the roads!

May the two of you have a wonderful on the phone Valentine's day in every way!

blessings and loving hugs,

marcy

Diana said...

Hi Wanda,
Jake's dream now is to just find a job where he could stay home and make the money he makes now. And I would love it too. There just aren't any around our area.
Love DI

Diana said...

Hi Bernie,
Despite the miles Jake and I are very close, and we will be on the phone together you can bet, who knows maybe he'll even get to come through the house! Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Steph,
I keep saying that one day I will post about being the wife of a truck driver, Talk about work! I enjoyed your post on marriage very much.
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Marcy,
At our annual church picnic we played the newlywed game three years in a row. Any couples were able to participate. Some had been married many more years than Jake and I. Well we won each year. After that the church stopped playing the game! So ya I guess we do know each other pretty well! All of the phone conversations paid off!
Love Di

Gail said...

HI DI-

Amazing man, wonderful marriage. ANd Di? My Dad was a professional truck driver for ears. He would always say, "as long as those wheels are turning I am making money"!! :-)

I have so much honor and appreciation for your marriage and family.


Love you
Gail
peace.....

Terrie said...

Wow, that is a milestone. One million miles. I can't even imagine that. Brent just recently got his CDL for his job and drives a few times a week but he's always home that night. He has plans on retiring and going on the road like Jake does but get this...when I mentioned he needed a truck with a sleeper, he said, "Yeah, the dogs need a place to lie when they get tired". He was thinking about his dogs and I was thinking about ME going with him! Anyway, Congrats Jake on a job well done. It is an accomplishment to be proud of!

Linda said...

What a beautiful post and tribute to your special hubby. He sounds like such an honest, dependable, hard working man!

We used to own retail stores so I know what you're talking about when discussing time apart from your spouse. We were never together but for some reason it worked for us, and we've been married for 29 years now. What works for some, doesn't work for others, and vice versa.

Congrats to your husband on his hugh milestone...and without a ticket or accident! That's wonderful!

jules said...

You just wrote our life story. My hubby has been driving for the same company for 20 years. We have lived the same life as you for that long. We are closer today than we've ever been. I wish truck drivers didn't have such a bad rap, there are some awesome guys out there behind the wheel.

Dee said...

Congrats to Jake on reaching the milestone AND with no tickets or accidents. True love is stronger than circumstances and you and Jake prove that. We carry love in our hearts.Happy Valentine to you and Jake.

Anvilcloud said...

Congratulations to him on his milestone and to both of you for making it work like you have.

Donna's Book Nook said...

Di--I just now read your post. What a tribute to your husband; and it speaks volumes about the strong relationship you have with each other.

I trust it will be a good Valentine's day--even though only by phone.

I don't think I had ever thought about how difficult it is to be a truck driver, especially in these times. Blessings on you both.

Bill ~ {The Old Fart} said...

Congrats on Jake's Million Mile, I don't think I'd could be a trucker, or even a Motor Coach Driver. I like coming home at the end of the day.

Great post Di,

Jackie said...

Jake...I have my "Hi from Jackie" sign with me in my car.
I hope to see you on the highways and byways of life.
Happy Valentine's Day to a lovely couple: Di and Jake.

Rebecca said...

Congratulations to Jake on the Million Mile achievement! That IS amazing. And glad to know he's a hero - not just yours, but a man of character and reliability.

I hope with you both that in God's time a good job with comparable pay might open up and you could spend 20 of the next 20 years together.

Beautiful post - and very informative, by the way! I never thought about some of the challenges you mentioned. May God keep him safe, and support you both in the lonely times.

Lena said...

What a lovely post, Di... I really enjoyed reading it...

You guys are so lucky to have each other... Life won't always give you that kind of gift...

Warmest hugs,

xxx

Maria said...

Hi Diana!
So sorry to have missed your post... Sometimes blogger doesn't update new posts here and there... I just found a blog I've been following for a long time and it is now up to 10 months without an update, but Stacy has been posting all along! Crazy...

Anyway... I hope you see this "belated comment" of mine... because I now have an even bigger respect for truck drivers... When you "see things" from a more personal perspective, it makes a huge difference. I hope over time, many people stumble upon this post and truly appreciate the hard work men like your husband do along with the time apart from husband/dad your family absorbs.
Happy Belated Valentine's Day, Diana ♥ ♥ ♥ Many heartfelt wishes coming your way ~ Maria

Eileen said...

I've always thought about how hard a trucker's life must be, logging in all those hours on the road, being away from home and family most of the time, missing important milestones and dates, as you've said. I always thought it would take a special type of person to live that life, and truckers are such giving people! They are always so helpful on the road, they are the first ones to stop and give assistance to anyone stranded by the side of the road, and I know on our road trips they have always been so nice with giving us directions, and so polite on the road giving us the 'right of way'.

I know you must be very proud of Jake, Di!
Wonderful tribute! And congratulations to him!

'Hope you are feeling okay, Di, you've had more than your share of heartache lately. Thinking of you.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Margaret Pangert said...

Congratulations to Jake! One million miles! (Hope it wasn't the same truck!)
I think your optimal word was "adapted." Once you've made up your mind to this lifestyle, you can make it work! You both must be so happy when he comes into port! Prayers and hugs for both of you, love, me xx

Brenda said...

Wow! That is quite a tribute to both of you. Your hubby faithfully provides for you and those seven years are worth more than a lifetime to so many couples. My first husband died after 16 years of marriage. I often wished that I could have him back--even if God would just let him visit me once a week--once a month. Your life is hard but even so, i believe you are blessed and a blessing.

Unknown said...

Di, that is so remarkable! He is a wonderful guy! I see how you write about him and the love you have for him....I know exactly how you are feeling. I have a man like that too, I wouldn't trade him for anything, I mean ANYTHING! Blessed we are...yep...BLESSED. But...so is he.................

Jenny said...

What a wonderful tribute! You sound perfect for each other.

Tranquility Speaks said...

When you husband gets home do make sure he reads this. What will follow is loads of hugs and kisses :-) I thought my job was hard. Your husband's is an eye opener! The fact that he has stayed put for all these years speaks of his dedication and loyalty and it pained me so much to know his company didn't tend to him when he injured himself and several places don't allow him to use the bathroom. That is just so bad!! Do ask him to stock more food in the fridge and some ready to eat stuff too and make sure he has quilts to keep him warm in the harsh weather

Loads of love to you!