Laureli 

Alaska is full of stories...yours is particularly poignant.

In ''78  I graduated from college  and  joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corp.
I asked to be sent some place far off and romantic,
got a one way ticket to KNOM.  Jesuit sense of humor perhaps? (You know, KNOM spelled backwards is MONK.)

In hindsight, it was the best damn decision I ever made, I met the most beautiful woman while standing at the Nome post office general delivery line waiting for mail.
30 years and 3 kids later, am still with the same great lady.  I can only say that love appears in unlikely places.  The bonus was meeting the most wonderful group of people, most of whom made serendipitous decisions to move to Nome at about the same time, we still gather with them frequently. 
as for the "odds are good "
I'm not your guy Laureli, I don't care for seal oil, am ok with walrus, not a muktuk fan, love moose and caribou -
I too was lucky to experience it all, much like you -by taking the road less traveled.