Wife of a Newbie

So alright, he finished his CDL training program at the local Community College. Talk about a long haul. I don't know how long other programs are, but he started in August, and graduated on November 17. He was there every night Monday-Fridayfrom 530-1030, and the first 8 Saturdays from 9-5. I'm hoping all his time logged- over 300 hours in a truck, means he received a good leg up on the OTR education. He went down to the DMV the Monday after graduation and turned in his paperwork to receive his CDL. He also was able to study and get his tankers and doubles.

He had three companies considering him. He knew the one he would rather have, and by graduation night, he had secured a position in their training and orientation slot. He leaves tomorrow, headed from homebase to Pleasant Hill, NC for training with MTL. He'll be driving flatbeds, Lord willing, if he passes everything.

And I'm his wife. We have two girls- four and six- and while he is out on the road, I'll be at home in school, taking care of our family, and working my part time job. Oh yah, and then there is the business of the relocation we are in the middle of. I get to handle most of that too. He moved most of his stuff already, we follow in July when the oldest gets out of school.

So I'm here, hoping there are other truckers' wives around. I get the feeling I'm going to need some support once in a while. My father was an OTR driver for 10+ years when I was a kid. My mom didn't fare so well. I have the benefit of having some separation time behind me because of my spouse's military service. I think we'll be okay. Doesn't mean it'll be easy.

I guess that's my novel introduction for now. Wish us well. We embark on a new adventure beginning tomorrow.

 

That's the truth, and honestly, it's that way with most of life. I work in Mental Health, so I completely understand the need for flexibility, but I gather it's different when being flexible means he may not make it home for Christmas after all, even though the recruiters told him he would... he might get here for Christmas Eve, but he will likely have to leave out Sunday (Christmas) to do another week of training. We'll see... I'm not putting anything in pen for months to come!

And thanks for the welcome

 

Thanks GMan!

I hope I will get to meet some of them. My kids are amazing, and they bring me so much joy, but I won't lie, I'm gonna miss the Mister of the house. Thankfully, I have good friends where we are for now. Once we move, that process will begin all over again. But for the first 6-7 months, I'll have lots of support to lean on if I need to.

 

G/Man, I agree with you. Open communication and trust go a long way in making long absences easier to handle. I'm thinking about getting him a little laptop for Christmas. Right now, he has his phone, which is internet capable, but having the same phone, I know it's a bear to use with his big thumbs. Laughing!

And I was reading in another part of the forum about some great ideas to help the kids out... involving maps of where daddy has been, coloring sheets, and the like. I'm going to do that.

One of the things I have really considered in all this is how much I want him to be able to come home and relax. Home should be a sanctuary, a place of peace, especially for someone who doesn't get to be there often.

I am very self-sufficient, and I know we can and will make this work. I won't say it will always be easy, because it won't. Nights are hardest for me, after the kids go to bed and I am working on school studies of my own. But, I've learned that I get my best cleaning done at night, so that's my aim. There won't be an excuse for the house to be messy, because I'll clean every night while the kids sleep and then fall into bed exhausted five nights out of the week.

That way, when he is home, we can just be a family and relax. Enjoy his time with us, and make the most of it. And if he just wants to sleep, then I will put a movie on for the kids and we can all curl up and relax in the big queen sized bed for a few extra hours.

Sorry, I like typing, so I tend to get a bit wordy and off topic...

 

G/Man, congratulations on the milestones along the way.

My husband and I have been married almost 8 years. The seven year itch almost ruined that, but we buckled down and got through it. No one said marriage was easy, but having my best friend in my spouse sure makes the adventure more fun most of the time.

The way I see it, this is just another opportunity to grow closer together. Those "old" couples that have been through everything together don't become so sweet and loving toward one another by sitting around staring at paint peel off the walls. They've earned their merit badges over the years they've put into the relationship. To me, this is just another chance to see what we are made of.