We were all fired up. We would sell the house, finish up our last few jobs and be off on an adventure. “Adventures, big and small!” we quoted to each other from our wedding vows. Plans were made and we had smiles from ear to ear.

And then came the paperwork.

Richard has not taught in 14 years and to be certified in Alberta you need currency. A police check. Take an online course. Apply for certification. Ten weeks of teaching practice in Alberta. As my husband doggedly jumped through hoop after hoop the excitement flagged. At a certain point we realised it would likely be a year before we were actually living in Alberta with a job. A year of limbo.

For us, the road north does not start with a foot pressing eagerly on the accelerator. It starts with a slow step.