Celebrating Valentine’s Day on the road
DRIVERS
When a holiday falls midweek or during scheduled work, it can be difficult to find a way to celebrate with your loved ones. Sometimes, however, it just takes a little creativity to show others you still care even when you’re far away.
Louise Thomas works 65 hours a week as a truck driver and both she and her partner Russell, also a driver, are working this Valentine’s Day. Despite this, Louise has still made plans to celebrate the holiday in whatever way her schedule will allow. Here, she explains those plans, as well as what she loves most about working as a trucker.
What do you love most about being a trucker?
Louise: I like the challenge. Every day is different and you meet different people every day. I can be carrying anything from cladding which is only a couple of tons, to a couple of vehicles or plant equipment which needs chaining down. I could be at the top of Scotland one day and Cornwall the next. I get to see places I would never bother to visit. The views can be breath taking.
How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
Louise: My partner Russ is away on European work so there will be no celebration on the day. We'll make up for it when he gets back. I think he'll bring some flowers home, maybe! My card is at home – I hid his card in his suitcase! In the past he has surprised me with gifts, Pandora bracelets etc. I have three now.
What do you typically do to celebrate if one or both of you is out on the road?
Louise: Normally we always have to wait until the weekend to swap gifts and cards since that's the only time we see each other.
Do you have any advice for other truckers celebrating the day on the road?
Louise: Yes, make up for it at the weekend! Spoil your partner when you get home. Send a text early so your partner wakes up to something romantic to show you're thinking of them. We all love a nice text! We're on our own the majority of the time so it's good to know someone somewhere is thinking about you.
Here are some other ideas about how you can still celebrate Valentine’s Day even if you’re away from home:
- Arrange to have flowers sent home
- Set up a face-to-face skype call
- Leave a gift for your loved ones to open after you leave
- Watch a movie ‘together’ by starting it at the same time and skyping or texting throughout
- Mail a care package home with all of their favourite things
- Arrange for delivery of their favourite meal
- Organise a special spa day whilst you’re gone
- Plan a surprise make-up date as soon as you return
What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? We’d love to hear about them or know what you love most about being a trucker. Tweet us at @MercedesTruckUK with #ilovemytruckbecause and let us know!
Here’s what some of our Twitter followers had to say about why they love being a trucker:
- KevTee @kevteetrucking “#ilovemytruckbecause of the sense of freedom, the ever changing view that allows me to witness the beauty of nature's seasons, looking down on the busy world rushing around beneath me whilst I sit in my calm and cozy 2nd home”
- Pieter b @Dim3nsion2011 “different places, different people, different minds. Different style of life!”
- Mummin @Mummin8 “Love to be a trucker because I love driving, and it helps me to have income for my family”
- Mr D @daniel_beddoes “the independence of the open roads”
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