Do what you love, love what you do.

Not only is this a great quote, from a great man... it is a quote that I strongly believe in, now more than ever. 

Before I get into the point of todays post, its good to have a little background on how I spent the first 4 months of marriage. After my husband and I got married, we knew that living in Alaska was a temporary situation. We would only be in our apartment for 4 short months, we would only be living together for 4 short months, and we would only have 4 short months to get to know the area and meet new people before we were torn apart and I would go back to Ohio and he would go to Afghanistan. 

So with the whole first month of August being spent moving in, and the month of December spent moving out, there was no point for me to get a full or let alone a part time job, to have to turn around and quit. So I essentially went from a full time student and active dancer, to a full time stay at home wife. 

Again, this was all temporary, but a drastic change for me which honestly made it at times difficult to be the happy newlywed couple we should have been. It's true-- life isn't always sunshine and butterflies. The thought of preparing for a 10 month deployment, put a damper on every month we were there. We had so many great times, but with everything going on, I could honestly say I would have done things differently if given a second chance. Not dwelling on the deployment and cherishing the time we had. BUT... you live and learn, and going through our first deployment together that was a huge lesson learned. 

So where am I going with this? The big picture is that over the past year not only have I grown and learned so much-- as well as traveled and done more than people will do in a lifetime, but my husband and I have grown as a couple. It is an awesome thing to see. Looking back and thinking how different we are now, for the better. 

Last week I chatted about how I was placed with the opportunity to coach pee-wee cheerleading in the fall when I get back to Alaska. I was THRILLED. So excited to work with the youth, do something that I love and to have a job to keep me plenty busy. 

Well.... Just last Friday I was presented with another great opportunity. I have been a dancer for 16 years. It has been the biggest part of my life from age 3. When I decided that I wanted to start working again once I got back to Alaska, I began e-maling and contacting dance studios in the area about teaching. I received a call from the head of Youth Activities on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (where we are going to be living) asking me to teach once I get back in August! 

THRILLED... is an understatement.  This wasn't a part of my "plan"  I had thought out for the next year, but this is far better than my "plan". Funny how things like that work out. 

So with that said, I am a firm believer in doing what you love. Just when I thought I had found my 'thing'... and knew what I would be doing as a job until I am finished with my collegiate career, I am thrown back into the teaching world. 

Now more than ever, I am so excited to get back to Alaska! My husband and I are thrilled to explore every part of the wonderful state we have been blessed to be stationed in, and to live a 'normal' life, without having to worry about when the next time we will say goodbye is-- for a little while at least!