North to South: A Conclusion

     Maybe it's the snow or the unusually frigid temperatures outside, but this time of year always brings me back to my time in Alaska.  I can't help but chuckle when I hear people complain about how cold it is (but in their defense, single digits do feel much colder here than it does in Alaska due to the little thing called "humidity" that hangs out on our side of the country).

The memories usually begin about mid-December, as I remember the amount of preparation needed to get ready for my trip, and they continue throughout the winter months, especially as certain dates come and go--Valentine's Day in particular.  I am forever grateful to be surrounded by loved ones on Valentine's Day as I remember flying home alone three years ago on the same day.  It was my first time flying alone--it was a bit nerve-wracking--but I managed.  In fact, I came to enjoy the experience.  I believe every young woman should travel alone at some point in her life.  Earlier today, I came across a quote that said, "There is no faster way to build your confidence than doing something that scares you."  I couldn't agree more!

Now I know it has been quite some time since I have written, but I felt like resurrecting it for the sake of finishing it.  It occurred to me that I never wrote the end to my story.  I am notorious for unfinished projects and I did not want this one to fall by the wayside any longer (that, plus the fact that I have really missed writing.)  I'm considering creating another blog, but I am not quite sure what direction it will take, if it develops at all (maybe I should take my own advice about doing something that scares me, huh?)  Plus, with this past weekend being Valentine's Day--as well as three years since returning home from my little adventure--I thought the time was right.  

**Author's Disclaimer:  You'll have to forgive some of the cheesiness.  I took the bottom portion of this post from the story I wrote for a contest while we were engaged for the chance to win a free honeymoon.  Some of my family members may recognize this story from our wedding website because I shared it on there as well, but I made a few necessary changes bringing it up to date.

Throwback to that time it was so cold, my eyelashes froze...

On Valentine's Day three years ago, I ended one of the greatest adventures I have ever taken unaware of the events that would unfold upon my return after spending the last 30 days teaching at the top of the world.  

On December 9th, 2011, I accepted a long-term substitute position to teach 3- & 4-year old native Alaskan children in the small, remote village along the Bering Strait in Stebbins, Alaska.  After close to a month of preparation, I departed for the snowy state shortly after New Year's Day.  While the fear of leaving behind the familiar was very real, so was the support of my family and boyfriend (now husband), Daniel.  Even though it meant being apart for a month or longer (in the event my contract would be extended), Daniel's love and support never wavered.

I faced many unexpected challenges during my time in "The Last Frontier."  I missed Daniel terribly and counted every minute until our next Skype visit.  Over the course of the month, he made me three videos to help with the homesickness.  Seeing the images of us together, as well as pictures he included of my friends and family, brought me more comfort than he would ever know.  He even timed the images to songs that had special meaning to us, such as "Run," by George Strait, which resonated with us during our time apart. It was also a song he would sing to me in the days leading up to my departure.  As time drew near for my return home, I told him to be prepared because I was going to "RUN" into his arms the moment I saw him.

Even though I was offered the extension to teach until May, I had decided to come home to complete my second teaching certificate in hopes of getting a job closer to home the following fall.  My journey home was scheduled to begin on February 14th, Valentine's Day, but I would not arrive at Dulles International Airport until February 15th.  Daniel, who is also a teacher, took the day off from work to pick me up at the airport.  Originally, he was going to accompany my parents, but when my mom was unable to get the day off, it was decided he would come alone.  This much, I knew.  What I did not know was the homecoming he had planned for me.

Once safely on the ground, I made my way to baggage claim, Gate 6, where Daniel said he would be waiting.  The closer I got, the faster I began to walk and scan the crowd ahead.  My heart was pounding with excitement.  Finally, I saw a man in the distance holding flowers.  He had his back to me, but as soon as I made sure it was Daniel, as promised, I began to run (how awkward would that have been if it wasn't him … hehe).  As I drew closer to him, I noticed he was also holding a sign. By now, he had heard my footsteps and turned toward me with the flowers and a sign bearing my name, "Rachael."  As soon as I reached him, I dropped my bags to throw my arms around him when, in the same moment, he began to flip the sign over.  Being so overwhelmed with excitement to begin with, it took me a second to register what the message said.  It said, "Will you marry me?"  He then proceeded to get down on one knee and opened the box containing the ring.  He told me how much he loved and missed me while I was away, as well as how he never wanted to be so far apart again.  I immediately said, "Yes!"  

We embraced, and after what felt like a year, I was finally back in his arms, but the surprises didn't stop there.

After letting go of one another, he pulled out another sign that read, "She said, Yes," a moment the gracious ladies at baggage claim captured for us.  He also bought me an hour massage/facial and took me to an amazing steak dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House.

While Alaska was an adventure I will not soon forget, I am now embarking on the adventure of a lifetime with the love of my life and my best friend as we share our life together.

Since then, I have taught at Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School in my first full year teaching as a part-time Title I Reading teacher and part-time RLA (Reading Language Arts) teacher for 5th to 8th grade in Davis, WV (the "Alaska" of our state, in my humble opinion … boy, did those heavy winter clothes get put to use.) Two days before our wedding, I interviewed at Petersburg Elementary School where I am currently in my second year at the school (third overall) as one of three, full-time Title I Reading teachers.

On June 14th, 2013, we said, "I do!" and spent our honeymoon in the Bahamas at the Atlantis Resort.  

Flash forward two years later to where we finally have a place to call our own and are enjoying the married life.  I'm sure there are days where he might want to take back saying how he, "never wants to be that far apart again," (haha…*cue the drums*), but these past two years together have been some of the most fun yet! 

I am also excited for the many memories to come.  I am hoping one day to return to Alaska, this time with Daniel by my side as part of a vacation cruise maybe.  :-)

I will never forget my experience in Stebbins, and I believe if I could have taught in the main school building, I would have extended my stay. I think of the students I worked with often, and pray they are doing all right.  I look back at that time and experience in my life as a way to get out of my own little world while gaining a new perspective.  For the short time I was there, Alaska definitely left its mark on me!

I hope one day to return.  Besides, as Elsa from Frozen would say, "The cold never bothered me anyway."