Adjusting to Being on the Road

Traveling is something I had always wanted to do, but never in a million years did I think it would ever actually happen. Especially the way it happened to be.

TJ and I had known of each other for 20 years, been close friends for 11 years, and then one day while catching up, things clicked. We went from not talking for a few years, to spending every weekend together, to living together in the matter of 2 months. When it's right, it's right and the universe said "enough already, just get together!". When we started our relationship finally, TJ had two jobs where he needed to be on the road and out of state for several weeks. When I say being away from him for that time was irritating would be an incredible understatement. Even though we talked every day, and video chatted as often as his busy work schedule would allow, it wasn't enough. So when he was called to a job in Wisconsin, which was only 6 hours from where we lived, we decided for me to go with him. Morph and I packed a bag and met him in Wisconsin where we stayed for the duration on the job. It was a good introduction to being on the road with him, because it was close enough to home that I could visit my family and friends if I wanted to, but far enough away that I felt separated. It was a happy medium. I also had my own car with me, which allowed the travel back home, to the grocery store and out and about if I wanted to. I was definitely spoiled on that trip.

The camper we were in at the time was much smaller than the fifth wheel we have now. It was set up more for one person and a snowmobile or motorcycle, because it was also a toy hauler. But we made it work. I started prepping TJ's lunches for his work so that he didn't have to worry about it and that allowed us to spend more time together. We went for daily walks when he woke up for work around 2:30pm (he was working third shift for this job), and got to talk during those walks. Then when he got home from work about 2 or 3am, I would usually wake up and spend some time with him then too. That was the extent of our time together if it wasn't his day off. It was definitely an adjustment, but much better than not seeing him at all like when I was at home with him on the road alone.

It was after that job that we decided to buy a new camper and a truck to haul it. So we started shopping. We landed on the Momentum 349m. It's a toy hauler, which allowed us to turn the garage into an office for me to work. We both have desks, and we put the carpet down to make it more homey. Although the camper is smaller than the living spaces I was used to before traveling - it's home and I have grown used to it and it's plenty of space. Once again, being on the road with him in a small space is better than being away from him in a house.

Our trip to South Carolina is the most strenuous trip yet for me. The first week of TJ's job was 12 hour shifts (which is more like 13 for him) and the job location was an hour away from where we had the camper parked. This meant an extra 2 hours onto his trip. So he was leaving at 5am and returning at 8:20pm. We still took our walks together with the dogs, but that and dinner was really the only time we saw each other. I tried to have dinner ready when he got home to allow more time together. Sometimes it worked out that way, other times it didn't. But the important thing is that we still always made time for walks and dinner together.

As far as keeping busy while he was gone, that was a bit of a struggle. Sure I had Morpheus and Achilles to keep me company and take care of, but it's so easy to fall into the TV trap. Turning the TV on in the morning, and either blankly watching it, or falling asleep on the couch with it on. So I picked up hobbies I've been meaning to get back into. Crochet, writing, learning another language, and actually taking care of myself. Then there are basic daily things I like to take care of. Grocery shopping, cleaning and prepping TJ's lunch. None of which do I feel like I NEED to do, but when I don't see him very often, it's a way I can show TJ that I love him and take care of him like he takes care of me.

Although dealing with being away from TJ is a big difficulty, I would say another huge factor to adjusting to life on the road is being away from my family. My family is very close. There are 12 kids, and my mom and dad are a gigantic part of my life. So not being able to just hop over there whenever I want or need has taken a toll on me emotionally. Yes, I get to video chat, call and text them. But it's not the same. So I always have a countdown to when I get to see them again. Not because I don't like being on the road, but because it makes the moments I have with my parents, siblings and friends all the sweeter.

There are constantly going to be things I learn about being on the road that I didn't know before or didn't consider. But for now - I am happy with the things I have learned and adapted to. I'm looking forward to the things I have yet to learn.