It’s me, Dawn!

[Dawn]

Hi all! Been trying to get in here and had some trouble, but Megan PATIENTLY helped me LOL

Im Dawn from southeastern Michigan. My fiancé and I have been together 7 1/2 years and will be married on April 21, 2024. He just left last week for his second season on a processing boat, but he’ll now be working in the engine room. He was gone 3 months last time, home for one month, and now will be gone 5-6 months. There are challenges, but we’re both kind of loving the new life. He swears he has found his “home away from home” and loves everything about it.

Planning our wedding will be a great distraction, but WOW! Was figuring out a date when he’d be home a headache! Lol

[Marissa Viscardi]

Hi Dawn! Being gone six months at a time is hard. It takes a strong woman to partner with a fisherman. When my partner was gone for 6 months a way we held on to each other was through journaling. We both kept a journal and exchanged when he came home. It’s real it’s raw and I think it made us stronger. He put his feelings on paper in the most honest ways and so did I. Not all of it was pretty and a lot of it was hard to read. It helped me understand what he was going through so I could support him and same for him to me. It also was a way for us to release the feelings which made the daily struggles a tad less difficult as it took some of the weight of the feelings and emotions away. Hell you could keep two journals one as a burn when your cursing him out and another to give him when he comes home if your not comfortable sharing all the negative.

I wish you guys a wonderful wedding day and no rescheduling!

If your ever in New Hampshire reach out!

[Dawn]

Thanks, Marissa! I appreciate the understanding 🙂 The nice thing is, he’s doing dockyard for six weeks now in Seattle and another 3 weeks when they get back, so that’s almost two months of us being able to talk on the phone every day and send texts. It’s much harder when they’re unreachable or have a horrific signal. I like the idea of journaling… but I like the idea of having a throwaway cursing journal even more! HAHAHA

Same goes if you’re ever near Detroit — although, I don’t know why anyone would do that on purpose 😉 lol

[Megan Waldrep]

Love the journal idea. Especially the “throw away” 😆. That’s hilarious! How’s everything going for y’all so far?

[Dawn]

Things are good mostly! I’ve been doing some spring (summer) cleaning and yard work and spending time with friends. It’s definitely an easier season to be apart than winter, for me anyway!

I may have a stress fracture in my foot (doctor is fairly certain but ordered an mri to confirm) so that is frustrating because I will likely need some assistance if they stick me in a boot. I’m frustrated I have to rely on friends, but I guess that’s what they’re there for, right?

Otherwise, all is good here! How are you doing!!?

[Megan Waldrep]

I’m so sorry to hear about your foot!! Yes, call up your friends. That song “Lean On Me” was a hit for a reason! 🙂 Glad to hear things are going well for you this summer. The sunshine seems to bring levity to situations (and yard work means a little tanner, too!) Ha! :).  All is good here. I’m writing to you from a Starbucks in Hyannis, Massachusettes. We’ve been van-life-ing it from “Downeast Maine” and making our way back to Wilmington, NC, for the summer. I’m so grateful to have seen many fisheries along the way. Makes me realize how bonded we are a community. Even if we don’t live near the water, we are connected through the big Ocean and our joys and challenges as fishermen and POCFs! Incredibly adventurous life we all lead.

Speaking of, would you have interest in being a guest on the new POCF podcast? It would be super interesting to hear about your experiences as a POCF from Southeast Michigan!

[Dawn]

I don’t feel like I’d have that much to add, really???? But I’m definitely not opposed to the idea!

[Megan Waldrep]

Yay for your interest! We can touch on and carry on from your interview. Talk about writing and how you’ve adjusted this summer. Just for POCFs to hear your voice would be such an incredible connection to our community. If you’d like, I can send questions in advanced so you’ll get an idea of where we’re going. We can make it short and sweet. What do you think? 🙂

[Dawn]

Sorry, it’s been almost a month… been pretty busy and then had to dig around and find my user name and password. I’m scatterbrained! Not going to lie, July is pretty busy with birthdays and baby showers and graduation parties, so can we revisit this in August? Send me any questions you want to ask, and it will give me time to think on them.

Side note, my fiance’s promotion officially went through! He is now a wiper in the engine room. He’s been doing dockyard for two months now, and they are leaving for Alaska next week until the end of October. We got in our first heated argument over the phone since he left because I was unable to find a filter for our dehumidifier. It amazes me that even when you’re far apart, and no matter how much we miss them, these things do still occur. Cest la vie! All is well now 🙂

[Megan Waldrep]

Hey, Dawn! All good! I’m glad you were able to find your details to log in!

Girl, SO RELATABLE about getting into it via phone about little things. In my experience (and other POCFs have said this, too), the feeling of missing each other can transform into silly arguments that don’t matter. The subtext is, “I miss you and wish I were with you!” It could also be the frustration that your fisherman wishes he could take care of it and be back in the safety of your cozy home. Congrats on his promotion going through, as well! I hope he’s enjoying his time out there. Will be thinking of you and sending love!

I’ll circle back in August to see if a podcast interview aligns. 🙂

How’s wedding planning going, btw? Hope all good things!

Much love and POCF pride!

Megan

 

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