Originally Posted by
Bati
My spouse did the same with the drop-off, and that morning was the worst. I was with an old friend for the first couple of weeks, and it made the parting easier, as originally my husband was supposed to hike with me. Of course, driving through the night and starting to hike around likely didn't help either. The next time I saw him was when my friend left; that time I was headed out solo; I was very relieved to reach the shelter and have my new trail friends make space for me and at least half my pad inside the packed shelter and out of the cold drizzling rain that was trying to melt the snow. Later departures weren't as tough, and I was hiking closer so we met more often. On much of the Northern parts he joined me, and he also turned the tables on me and headed off to Springer on his own for a month or so a couple of years later. It's far better to do what you want when you can than to wait for the planned day to do something together and have that day never arrive.
Dealing with bills, mail, having someone drive the car occasionally and such were all much simpler with only one of us gone. One tough part was when I didn't get a food drop in Damascus (also had some dietary issues) and instead got a letter saying his father had died and he was writing the letter from the airport. (This was before cell phones for all of you wondering why he didn't just call to tell me.). I'll never forget sitting by the window at the Place, watching the snow fall, trying to call for hours and getting messages about 'all lines are busy'. It felt like forever before I got through long after midnight.
We were able to meet up every two or three weeks at the start, but we weren't able to talk much or email/text. On more recent (and shorter) trips, I tend to call him daily if I get a signal, partly for security as it gives a last-known-location should anything happen, and of course, just to talk, regardless of how short the battery might force the call to be.
As you know, marriage is about supporting your spouse and their dreams, not trying to live someone else's dream or giving up yours entirely. If you think it's too long to be apart, then plan to hike the trial in two sections and only be gone for 3 months each time. You might have a better trip that way as it would be easier to avoid the crowds.
And be prepared to support him when he runs off for a month or so to follow his dream!