From Premature Birth To Wilderness Wonder: One Familys Perilous Journey Through Alaskas Uncharted Territory

We embarked on an Alaskan adventure with my newborn as a catalyst for an extraordinary journey. My water broke at 35 weeks and five days; despite initial optimism from the doctors, it soon became clear that our small hospital didn’t have the capacity to treat my growing baby boy. The pediatrician’s words echoed in my mind: “If I were you, I’d fly south.” We did, and our tiny family was whisked away on a Lear Jet to Washington state, where we spent several weeks navigating neonatal intensive care units.

Amidst the chaos, my husband emerged as an unsung hero. When it became clear that we needed to evacuate, he dropped everything to coordinate with our team and care for our daughter, who was only five years old at the time. He juggled work and parenting duties with remarkable poise, working remotely from a hotel room to ensure his academic responsibilities remained uninterrupted.

His remote teaching setup proved to be a godsend during this tumultuous period. As he graded papers and engaged with students’ discussion posts, I could join him in real-time, conferring about everything from our son’s medical advice to our daughter’s emotional well-being. The hotel room became a makeshift office, a space where we collaborated as a family.

It wasn’t always easy for my husband – exhaustion on his face was palpable by the end of our time in the NICU – but he never complained. I acknowledged his efforts, cutting him off when he started to compliment me. “This was hard on you, and you did an amazing job,” I said, and he smiled, knowing I meant it.

Throughout our ordeal, we received support from friends who cleaned out our fridge and delivered soup, fresh bread, and flowers; doctors and nurses who were diligent and kind; my mother and daughter, both of whom made sacrifices of their own. But most of all, I’m grateful to my husband, who ensured our family remained intact despite uncertainty.

As we navigate parenthood together, I know he’ll always be there to support me, even when the going gets tough. Our move to Alaska was more than just a career decision – it was an act of love and resilience. I hope that one day our son will grow up to be the same kind of man his father is: strong, selfless, and unshakeably devoted to those he loves.