I meant to post about this yesterday. And the day before that. And even the day before that. But to be honest with you, I haven't wanted to talk about it. I've wanted to avoid it at all costs. I don't know how to put my feelings and thoughts into words.
So, here goes,
At the end of the month, Steve and I will be making the 4000 mile drive back to Ontario.
There, I said it.
While we both knew living in Alaska would not be permanent, it seems like the end has come way too soon. It crept up on me and I wasn't exactly prepared. If you've been a follower of Our Alaskan Staycation from the beginning, you know just how special this place is to us, and therefore just how hard leaving it is as well.
So what happened? Well a few weeks back hockey ended. We enjoyed a few days with friends, celebrating the end of another great season. And then, the decision was made. We both agreed it was time to move on to the next adventure. I put in my two weeks and we started packing up the apartment and three years of our lives into the back of our Kia Sorento.
It's safe to say, the past week has been an emotional roller coaster. And I'm sure many more ups, downs and loop-de-loops are ahead of me in the next few weeks.
However, while it sickens me to leave the place that we have called home for the past three years, to think that someone else will be doing the job I was meant for and to say goodbye to friends that we may not see for a while, it excites me to be able to spend time with our families and to know that we are going home to get married. We're extremely excited for the next chapter, the next grand adventure.
So to sum it up in a few words (because I can get wordy if needed, especially when emotional):
Dear Alaska: Moving up here we didn't have any expectations. Although we had only heard great things, we figured it would be like any other hockey season, the same ol' drill - we arrive in the fall and leave in the spring. However, one year quickly turned into three. We instantly fell in love. You have given us many adventures, experiences, memories and life long friends. Way more than we could have asked for. You got into our blood and now have a special place in our hearts. We may not be Alaskan born, but we are definitely Alaskan grown.
And what may be the toughest of all,
Dear Alaska friends: I can't put into words how grateful we are to have met each and every one of you. You have changed us in so many ways. You have allowed us to grow and become better people. You have given us experiences we had only dreamt about. Some of you have even become family. You welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home, despite being over 4000 miles from our real home and family. We love you and can't thank you enough.
The people we have met, the things we have seen and done and the memories we have made are some that will stay with us forever.
This is not goodbye, just a goodbye for now. We will be back.
So, until we meet again Alaska...
Noo! All of my Alaska bloggy people are leaving or have left recently. How am I going to live vicariously through you if you're not there anymore? Boo hoo. But...on to the next adventure! :)
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