FIXTITLE Aaron Smith.docx
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
The Story
Of
Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith from Branch County, Michigan has been an owner operator in the trucking business for 12 years. Following in his father’s footsteps, he can remember being as young as five years old, sitting next to his dad in a Cabover while he hauled milk to his next destination. Growing up on a farm, Aaron lived the typical country lifestyle. Including farm chores; helping with the animals (cattle, hogs, horses, goats-you name it) and tend to the crops. His mother also helped with the farm. Until later, she went to work at a local pharmaceutical factory.
With his father spending every extra minute, 7 days a week working, Aaron split some of his free time camping with his aunt and uncle. Many of Aaron’s childhood memories begin and end with him riding in the passenger seat of his father’s truck. Surprise baked goods were found in the truck from time to time. Gifts from his father’s friends. Aaron says, “We would get in and see homemade pies and cookies. The Amish would leave them for my dad.” He goes on reminiscing, “Sometimes I would sit in my seat and listen to the motor. When my dad shifted gears, I’d mimic him. When he would shift, I would pretend to shift too.”
From six years old, Aaron road with his dad on his milk routes, taking in every little detail. By his mid-teens, he and Aaron were working hand and hand. Eager to prove himself, Aaron began taking his job more like a competition. One particular day he recalls vividly. Only 16 at the time, he left the house an hour early in an effort to show his father how serious he was about work, while his dad was still at the table eating breakfast. Aaron laughs as he tells the story. It seems little now, but he respected his father’s work ethic and knew to top his regimen that he would have to get a jumpstart on the day. It was a big deal and both men recognized it.
At 18, his father discontinued his route and Aaron enrolled into college. Up until then, he was able to keep a lid on another talent that he was a natural at. Embarrassed about writing in high school, he shied away from sharing his gift with others. Aaron turned his writing into poetry, translating general thoughts through an expression of words. Throughout life we constantly transition and adapt to changes until we are comfortable. The uncharted areas in-between is known to trigger a number of emotions: worry, excitement, anxiety, fear, loneliness, happiness… Life is an emotional rollercoaster. Each of us deal differently.
Aaron’s hidden gift allowed him the ability to express himself. To speak about how he felt concerning the events in his life. Everything; good days, bad days, growing up, love and family. There are different forms to convey one’s thoughts. Like Aaron there is poetry and writing, or singing. Even physically: boxing, running, or through dance. Maybe something more reserved, like yoga. Our emotions are simply a reaction. Aaron used his writing to connect. It wasn’t until later that he embraced his art.
He started out as a full-time student pursuing a degree in engineering and law enforcement. For the first year, Aaron kept a steady job working on a hog farm, before transferring and returning home. With his parents’ hard working genes, Aaron figured he would make just as much money working like his father and pushed college to the side, never looking back. He immediately landed a foreman position, running a shop at a Styrofoam plant. A year later, Aaron went to work for a landscaping company located out of Brooklyn, Michigan.
At 21, he earned his CDL and switched businesses to a trucking company, pulling a reefer over the road. A career in trucking was inevitable. He is the third generation of his family in the line of business. He explains, “My dad got me started. And he did well! He worked hard, which made him very successful. Then my grandpa was in the shop with us a lot, working on trucks too. I’ve always been around it… seemed logical.”
After spending two years OTR, gone one to two weeks at a time depending on the load, Aaron was in need of a change. He hit a rough patch and decided to come off the road, in search of some stability. Being home more often, working a steady gig at another factory didn’t pan out. In the seat of a semi is where he belonged. This time Aaron went with a local trucking company, driving a T800 Kenworth, and was able to be home every night. After a couple of years, Aaron took a job offer and moved up north of Michigan to haul gasoline and diesel fuel for a year. He soon relocated to Indiana and went to work for a company delivering restaurant items, in which he was home two nights a week.
In May of 2012, Aaron was driving for a trucking company based out of Butler, Indiana pulling liquid cryogenics, when he went into anaphylactic shock while unloading a trailer. The temperature of 50 below caused him to suffer a severe allergic reaction. Due to the cold shock, Aaron’s body responded in a life-threatening manner. He began having problems breathing and his entire body was covered in hives and rashes. Later, he was diagnosed with a rare allergy known as, cold urticarial. Cautious of his condition, Aaron switched to a mechanic position.
That following July, he was ready to venture out. He got the ball rolling by becoming an owner operator. Next, he took all of his 401K and purchased a 2005 W9 Kenworth, with a 72 inch sleeper. A friend of his had also bought a truck and went to work for Mercer Transportation. On August 12th, Aaron did the same, beginning his trucking career with Mercer Transportation out of the Louisville office. He initially started with step deck, traveling all 48 states and Canada. Then, he moved over to flatbed making more money. With Mercer Transportation, Aaron found more than an employer to driver for. He found a second family. He explains, “The people at Mercer support their drivers. They believe in our talents. Not just our ability to drive a truck.” Also with Mercer Transportation, Aaron connected with driver, Dale Killhorn. “Dale became like a mentor to me. In more than just trucking. He is the one that encouraged me to publish my writing. He has always been there for me with good advice and pushed me to think differently than the regular guy,” he says. Aaron has numerous awards for his safe driving. He is soon to lock in a career high of a million miles.
A year after branching out as an owner operator, Aaron purchased another truck the summer of 2014. “I bought my dream truck! A 2006 Kenworth W900,” he said. He put Troy, a Mercer driver in the seat of his previous truck and the two have been working together ever since.
Aaron describes himself as nothing special. His gift of words and creative approach speak differently. Paula, Aaron’s fiancé supports him in his trucking efforts, stating his absence when he is away on the road is tough, but as a couple they make the best of it. Occasionally, when their schedules line up, Paula is able to join him.
He proposed this past December and together they are planning their wedding for October in 2016. A year ago Paula’s father underwent a triple bypass and Aaron took a month off of work to help tend to his hobby farm that sits on 100 acres, while he recovered from surgery. She says, “My dad is my world. Aaron would come and sit with him. Each time was just as special as the last. It meant a lot to me. That’s Aaron though. He is very thoughtful and sincere. Always looking to help others.”
When it comes to his love of trucks and his family, he doesn’t hold back. From an early age, Aaron has been a go-getter. Gaining and sharing knowledge along the way. Paula has opened the flood gates to Aaron’s writing, as well. Using his feelings as an inspiration, he has written over a dozen songs for a friend, who is also a recording artist. Aaron, being a hopeless romantic, strengthens his relationship with Paula by showering her with his poetry and surprises. Both while he is home and away. “She is constantly on my mind. In our spare time we enjoy spending it with each other, doing whatever. It doesn’t matter to us as long as it’s together. We just bought a place, so we like to relax around the house when we can,” Aaron says.
Growing up, Aaron has always been an avid hunter and fisherman. Paula on the other hand enjoys archery. With that said, while he was away on the road he had a bow delivered to her as a gift of his love. He says, “I am so blessed to have Paula in my life. Her support and trust, from her family too is amazing. She was raised on a dairy farm that her dad managed for over 50 years. The type of people they are and the direction he has given me is incomparable and I’m beyond appreciative for everything.”
I asked Paula and Aaron separately, what their ideal future plans. (Coincidentally) I was given the same vision. Aaron answered first, “I’ll always have aspirations and dreams of doing more; something better. One day, I would like to stay home and run a business… work on some trucks and keep some on the road too. Trucking is my scapegoat. While I’m on the road, it gives me time to think. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever completely leave it.” Paula understands his passion to travel the country. She says, “Aaron is an extremely hard worker. Hopefully on down the road we’ll have a couple of more trucks. Maybe own a business… a gun shop. And I want Aaron to keep writing.” Getting to see things other people usually don’t get to see is a privilege that comes with the job. He says, “Seeing new places, the peace of an open road, and experiencing nature are a few of my favorite things that trucking gives back to me.”
Aaron sees himself no different than anyone else. His humble, yet unpretentious demeanor doesn’t brag or boast. He gets his kicks from helping others. However, the secret is that his genuine personality is what sets him apart from the average. Aaron’s authentic identity is pure honesty at its finest. And that my friends, is different. It’s special and hard to come by. Paula sees it. Her father recognizes it. Everyone at Mercer Transportation acknowledges it. Also, we as readers, fans, and admirers of Aaron’s dedication to trucking and his writing welcomes it.
Never hesitate to share your talents with another. Embrace what you are good at. If maneuvering a massive piece of equipment around the country is your forte, then what would the captain of that vessel normally do? Steer. Direct. Most importantly, keep moving forward. As with any profession, once you have continued to do so repeatedly you become great at it. It just so happens, Aaron has been doing both, trucking and writing the majority of his life. Now we get to enjoy it all with him.