As of today, it’s been a week since we moved into our new home in Big Sky, Montana. I woke up to the sounds of cheering from the street below and a loud siren, marking the start of a community marathon. I’ve never participated in a marathon, but even with all the unknowns, the distance, the level of difficulty, or where the path would lead, there was an overwhelming feeling to go grab my running shoes. The camaraderie of people on the sides of the streets, cheering on their neighbors running a race in this tiny town in the middle of the Montana mountain scape, gave me a feeling of community I've been longing to be a part of for a very long time. However, not yet being acclimated to the altitude, I decided to spare my new neighbors from what would surely be a sad and pathetic first impression. So instead, I’m drinking locally grown coffee on the couch, two sleepy animals by my side, sunshine laced with a chill September breeze coming through the windows. Our new apartment is basically all windows, mountain facing, and we can’t complain. I just looked out expecting to see more of the wildfire haze that’s been shrouding the views since we arrived. But the thick grey sheet has lifted, and what it has unveiled can only be described as breathtaking. We are surrounded by mountains on every side, besides the big beautiful blue sky above us. Trees cover these mountains like grass in a field, and continue as far as the eye can see. The street below us is lined with string lights, greenery, little shops and restaurants, and at the moment, a whole lot of cowbell ringing as each runner crosses the finish line. There is a hot air balloon drifting across the sky, taking in the views, as they simultaneously become part of mine. I’m having a moment… how in the world did we get here? Two years ago we were riding bikes to the sand for sunset, staring at the expanse of ocean painted with shades of pink and purple, completely unsuspecting of what the future would hold, but anticipating we would experience it together. We sensed the winds of change creeping up, and before we knew it, we were reluctantly following them to the neon skyline of Las Vegas. We were met with growing pains, record breaking temperatures, and of course, the pandemic. We wanted a way out, limiting our search to places with beaches. Little did either of us know then, the mountains were calling. And snow, lots of snow. Croix’s hard work and determination to make an incredible life for us landed us in a place we could have never imagined we would be. Two moves in two years, and we are still reminding each other daily that we actually live here, surrounded by awe inspiring natural beauty. I have heard big risks can be met with big rewards, and I think Big Sky has big things for us. There is still so much unknown, so much to discover, mountains to climb, adventures to be had, and finish lines to cross (cue the cowbell). We don’t know the distance, the difficulty, or where this path will lead us. But without hesitation, we are grabbing our running shoes. Thank you for standing on the sidelines and cheering us on.