Keep on Truckin'

How to bring a couple back together: share a long-haul drive in an 18-wheeler

- WENDY OWENS

It was a rare night—my husband and I were both home. I folded some laundry while Kevin watched TV. How could I make the most of this moment?

Kevin drives 18-wheelers for the Dillard’s department store chain. Most of his shifts are at night, when mall parking lots are empty and it’s easier to transport merchandise from warehouses to stores. I’m a learning specialist at a public school, with a weekend side gig at a coffee shop.

Kevin and I are almost never home at the same time. That wasn’t the only reason we were finding it hard to connect these days.

This is a second marriage for both of us. One big reason why my first marriage fell apart was because I’d never found a healthy balance between parenting, working and spending time with my husband.

When Kevin and I met at church, I prayed I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Everything was great while we dated. Then we married. And I saw the same things happening again.

It didn’t help that my oldest son from my first marriage—now a young adult—had recently moved in with us, along with his girlfriend and their two toddler boys. My son struggles with substance use. Kevin opened his heart and our home to my son’s family. Generosity is one of many wonderful traits I love about my husband.

Our household was very busy now. Between that and work, Kevin and I hardly saw each other. When we did, all we talked about was potty training or whatever else kept our lives hectic. I couldn’t remember our last real conversation. Forget about romance.