Growing up in the Midwest, I remember sitting in my living room and watching TV shows and movies, like Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada and feeling this intense internal longing for the hustle and bustle of New York City. I yearned for a bigger and bolder life than I imagined was possible in South Dakota, not because I disliked where I came from, but because I could almost taste the opportunity of adventure that awaited me if I just dreamed big enough. As I got older, that persistent voice inside me that wanted “more” only grew louder and more demanding. I promised myself that whenever I was given an opportunity to do something that made that inner voice scream “Yes!” – I would grasp it and do whatever I could to make it a reality.  

In high school I was lucky enough to travel to New York City for a marching band competition my sophomore year, then to Washington D.C. with a group from my political science class my junior year. The energy I felt buzzing through me as I walked through these cities was electric and left me wanting more. During my sophomore and junior years of college, I surprised everyone (including myself) by being chosen twice for a summer internship at the United Nations. 

That first summer spent in New York felt like a dream. Living on the Upper East Side amidst the gorgeous brownstones near Central Park, I found myself grabbing coffee at the corner cafe, racing through the subway and dodging taxis in my suit and heels, just like the heroines of my favorite rom-coms. My internship brought me to the United Nations, where I was privileged enough to attend meetings in the General Assembly, where I got to see Hilary Clinton give a speech on International Women’s Day. I sat and observed the Security Council where countries debated global crises and attended meetings on climate change and food insecurity. While walking with the Iraqi Ambassador to his car, we crossed paths with then Security General Ban-Ki-Moon , who stepped forward to greet each of us and shook our hands politely. I felt utterly amazed that a girl from South Dakota was getting to experience so much at just 20 years old.  

But as is true of life, my big city internship with its thrills and excitement was paired with immense feelings of isolation and homesickness. I realized that being so far away from everyone I loved, mainly Austin, meant my heart was only halfway in it. I wasn’t just planning a life for myself anymore. Austin and I were beginning to imagine a future together, and the picture of what our life could look like didn’t match up with that big city life. After graduating college and settling down in Sioux Falls, friends and family would occasionally say to me, “I always thought you’d move off to New York City or live overseas somewhere.” I remember feeling annoyed by those comments, as if the life I had built in Sioux Falls wasn’t “good enough” or meant that I had “failed” somehow.  

My north star in life has always been to ask myself, “Would the younger version of me be proud of who I am today? Would they look at the life I’ve built and think – ‘Wow! You really did it!’” And honestly, after graduating with a Master’s degree, marrying my best friend, becoming a mom, starting a non-profit, and working my way up at Mayo Clinic – my answer was always yes. Austin and I talked about it often, how we’d built the most beautiful life for ourselves and achieved a level of success that we had only dreamed we could do. We loved our life in Sioux Falls and everything that came with it. It wasn’t until February 2025, when the world felt like it was crashing around us that the little voice inside me started to get louder again and say “More! There’s more out there. Go find it!” You know the rest of that story…New Zealand called and we answered.  

Fast forward to 2026. As I was heading to work the other day (I go into the city on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), I was hopping off the bus, coffee in hand, dodging taxis and making my way to the 25^th floor of Auckland Council’s downtown office, when it suddenly hit me. “I did it. I’m living the life younger me always dreamed I would live.” Ironically, later that day while talking to my best friend from home, she listened politely as I shared my life updates and then started laughing and said, “High school Heather would be so proud of you. You’re doing it, Heather. You’re living the life you always talked about living!” 

I smile even now thinking about this moment, because I realized that the pride for where we are today is not about what we have accomplished. It’s not so much the “big city life” or the “success” we’ve found that I think younger me would be proud of. What makes me proud today, and I know would make a younger version of me proud, is knowing that I still listen to that voice inside me that seeks out opportunity, adventure, and new experiences. Better yet, I found a life partner who’s willing to do it all with me and a daughter whose brave enough to sometimes lead the way.  

So what adventures have we had of late? Well, it’s officially winter here in NZ, but we have made the most of our last month of Fall. Larsen is all in on netball and soccer – a truly natural athlete if I’ve ever seen one. Every Monday night you’ll find us cheering for Larsen’s netball team, smiling at the parents who come up to us in awe of how brave and bold our girl is on the court. Last week the girls got their first win of the season, with Larsen contributing a point to help earn their victory. Saturdays are for soccer/football, regardless of the rain or clouds. Larsen’s team, Angel United, continue to amaze us with how they work as a team and support each other on the field. Their coach Wendy is remarkable, and it’s such a joy watching these girls grow in confidence each week.  My favorite part of each game is when the girls gather around and pick the “player of the day” for the opposing team and reward them with cheers and a candy bar. It’s such a beautiful way to end the game and instill a sense of teamwork and collective celebration amongst the teams.

At school, Larsen continues to thrive and provides us with weekly updates on what she’s learning and the clubs she’s joined. Most recently, she’s joined the Kapa Haka group, where she’ll learn how to do a traditional Māori performance or dance, which we’ll get to see at the school’s Matariki ceremony in July. STEM has become her favorite subject as of late, and she’s in the midst of a group project where they’re asked to identify an endangered animal in New Zealand and invent a way to help protect the animal species from going extinct. According to Larsen’s latest update at dinner last night, her group has picked the blue penguin. More to come on their inventive solution!  

Austin has found himself quite busy at work lately, navigating future planning sessions and month-end deadlines. As always, he never complains and takes it all in stride, always finding energy to help Larsen with her math or play some video games together while I sneak away for a nap or quiet time.  

For me, work is going increasingly well, as I gain more confidence in what I’m doing and learn more each day. It’s been quite interesting seeing how Auckland’s government runs their city and how the local boards across the region collaborate and engage their community for decision-making. If we ever find ourselves back in in the US again, I’ll be eager to bring with me all that I’ve learned.  

A big milestone since moving was hiring a babysitter for the first time so Austin and I could enjoy a night out. Our friends gave us two tickets to attend the Blues Rugby game, and Larsen’s high school-aged netball coach was thankfully able and willing to hang out with our girl so we could attend. While we enjoyed the opportunity to finally see New Zealand’s sport in action, I’ve decided I’m not much of a rugby girl, but I’ll attend an Auckland FC game any day of the week. Though the sport itself was not for my liking, I’m grateful for our night out together and knowing that we have someone we trust to watch our girl if we ever need the extra help.  

As May came to a close, we decided to use the extra long holiday weekend to take a mini-trip and explore a new part of the country. We booked a cozy Airbnb on the south side of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. The three and half hour drive included winding roads through farmland, fall-colored hills and tree-filled forests. We stopped first at Huka Falls, a natural gorge and waterfall that is one of New Zealand’s most-visited natural attractions. The Waikato River, normally 100 meters wide, forces water through a narrow 15m wide passage in a volcanic canyon, creating a massive torrent of water that flows at a rate that could fill an Olympic swimming pool in just 11 seconds. We then hit up a geothermal water park where we relaxed and lounged in warm water pools.  

Our second day was much less relaxing and required a lot more energy, as we explored Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park and World Heritage Site. The park includes active volcanic mountains, ski slopes off Mount Ruapehu, and a multitude of hiking trails. We first stopped at Tawhai Falls, also known as Gollum’s Pool, made famous from Lord of the Rings. Then we embarked on a two-hour (6km) bush walk to Taranaki Falls, a 20m waterfall on the edge of a large lava flow, which erupted from Mount Ruapehu over 15,000 years ago. Normally, this hike offers scenic views of Mount Ngauruhoe, also famously known from Lord of the Rings as Mount Doom. Unfortunately, the incredibly foggy weather and rain hid the mountain from view. Regardless, the scenery was outstanding. Even more outstanding was Larsen’s perseverance in finishing the hike despite the fact that her parents left the backpack with water and snacks in the car (whoops!)  

The best part of the trip was watching Larsen embrace the elements and truly enjoy the environment around us. While climbing on the rocks around Gollum’s Pool, Larsen turned to me and said “Mom, can we do more of this? Not just today, but when we get back home? I really like exploring like this.” One thing I had hoped for us when we moved to this country, was that we would push ourselves to explore and get outside as much as possible. After the weekend we spent near Lake Taupo and hearing Larsen ask to do more, I was once again proud of who we’ve become as a family. Collectively, we continue to say “yes” to adventure here and are seeking “more” from every opportunity we get. Hoping you’re finding these same opportunities back home – keep saying “yes” and go have some fun!