The challenge of living in Alaska, if you're not originally from here, is connecting in person with far-away family and friends.  For starters, it's ridiculously expensive to fly out of Juneau.  Secondly, if you can't get direct flights on your itinerary, it can take an entire day or longer to get to your final destination, especially if that destination is south of the Mason-Dixon line.

I recently decided to surprise my Mom, who lives thousands of miles away in Alabama.  My good friend, Yvette, took my Mom to dinner, under the guise that Yvette would soon cruise through Juneau, and it was ample opportunity for Yvette to bring up some things I had in storage. Yvette totally rocked our surprise, and I couldn't have done it without her.  Thanks, Yvette!

A big THANK YOU also goes out to the kind folks at 3 Skillets in downtown Huntsville.  They helped me orchestrate an epic surprise - complete with a quick and dim jaunt up the back stairway.  Below is the video capturing the surprise moment.   Grab your Kleenex! It was all I could do to not run towards my Mom when I saw her park outside the restaurant. Mom and I at 3 Skillets. With my sweet and beautiful friend, Yvette.
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