Chapter 1: A Life on the Road

After two decades behind the wheel, I thought I’d witnessed every twist and turn those endless highways had to offer. But I never anticipated that giving a lift to a lone traveler would culminate in an emotional reunion, a viral gesture of gratitude, and the closure of my life on the road.

I’ve been a truck driver for years. Being a woman in this profession isn’t common, but I chose this path, fully aware of the challenges it would bring.

Life has a way of steering you down unexpected paths. For me, that journey began when my husband abandoned me and our four-year-old twins, Mia and Leo.

My father, Robert, drove trucks until he was fifty-five. I grew up watching him leave for days at a time, always returning with stories from his routes. Contrary to popular belief, this job provides a decent salary. It kept food on our table while I was growing up.

So, when I needed to support my kids alone, I knew this was the best option. I obtained my commercial license and started driving. The company I joined was even better than my dad’s because it included insurance and other benefits.

The downside was that it kept me on the road for weeks at a time. I was fortunate that my mother, Eleanor, stepped in to care for my kids while I was away, but I missed too much. Many birthday parties were scheduled around my unpredictable schedule.

Certain events couldn’t be moved, like school plays. Often, I was left to watch shaky video recordings of my kids’ milestones. But this job paid the bills, and they never went hungry. In fact, they had even more than I did.