Dating isn’t easy when you live your life behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler.
Most people dont think that truckers would have a dating life. They imagine us eating alone every day, stopping at diners and sleeping in our cabs during the day, and to be very honest, sometimes that’s exactly how it goes. But just because I spend most of my time on the road driving doesn’t mean I have to give up on finding love; it means that I’ve to figure out a different way to see it.
And dating apps? Yeah, no, I have tried all of them. The biggest issue for me is that how do i explain to someone that I am 300 miles away after a great first conversation? “Sorry, I’m in Oklahoma for the week. Maybe coffee next Thursday?” That kind of schedule doesn’t always inspire confidence.
Then there is the question of how honest I should be. Do I tell someone right away that I will be unavailable for five or six days a week? That my hours are always unpredictable? That I will have trouble being at home for Valentine’s Day or birthday or a Sunday dinner? It weeds people out pretty fast, and mostly, people look for something to commit; while life is unpredictable in every aspect for me, how do I commit to anything?
But I have seen that the right kind of people get it. They appreciate the hustle; they respect our independence, and some even find the lifestyle kind of romantic, old-school love of someone working hard, crossing the country while the other hustles in another city, both looking forward to meeting each other once a week sort of thing.
I’ve had a few relationships that tried to work around my schedule. Some didn’t last; distance is hard, no matter how much you care. Others ended because life on the road doesn’t always leave room for consistent communication, let alone date nights. But I’ve also had moments sitting in my cab after a long haul, texting someone who genuinely wanted to hear how my day went—that reminded me the connection is still possible.
The truth is, I haven’t figured it all out yet. Dating as a trucker takes patience, understanding, and a lot of creative planning. But I have not given up because even when I cross state lines or chase tight deadlines, a part of me still hopes to find someone who does not mind the miles. Who is understanding enough to be okay with the kind of work I do and wants to make things work out between us?
Someone who’s okay with phone calls from truck stops and stories from the road.
Somebody who knows that I think about getting back home as soon as I hit the roads.
Leave a Reply