Patricia in Texas

by Patricia Jouett
(Lubbock,Tx.)

I have been married to my trucker for almost 16 years now. Gary, that is my husband, has been driving most of our married life. My Dad was a truck driver so I think it was meant to be.

I understand and respect the job but, I sure hate having an on the phone relationship. It is better now with cell phones and much cheaper. It's cool that I can call him anytime I want to. We use to didn't have that advantage. We use to think calling cards where great.

We don't have any kids at home. I have a daughter that is 27 and lives in GA. He has a daughter that lives in NM. We have 6 grandkids, 5 boys and 1 girl. We never get to see them as much as we'd like. Planning trips can be a real challenge.

As with any truckers wife the nights are the worse. Plus I work at nights at a hospital. So on my nights off I can't sleep and have no one to talk to. I get a little lonely to say the least.

My husband is usually out 4 weeks at a time. That means I get to see him about 11 times out of the year.

It's not an easy life but, just like any woman married to an OTR driver I'm in love with my husband. I'm also very proud of him. He is my other half, the part of me that is missing.

He truly is my soul mate and I would not have the wonderful life that I have if it wasn't for my truck driving man.