Magic in the Northern Lights

Have you ever seen something so miraculous that the very moment takes your breath away? It's been 8 months and I’m still out of breath somehow. I started my travel journey in December of 2022 finally seeing my girlfriend after 3 long years of covid lockdowns. We traveled throughout Germany for the new years, and I saw the beauty of the country. Though the journey was full of wonderful experiences, I began to see the cracks in the foundation of our relationship. After a few short weeks, constant fights and incompatibilities I decided it was better to go our separate ways.

I left Germany a broken-hearted man, but I was in for more than I bargained for. I took a flight out to Stockholm, Sweden with the intent on seeing the Northern Lights because it was on my list of reasons to stay alive. Yes, I made an entire list of reasons to live not a bucket list because I needed a reason to keep moving forward. I arrived in a wintery wonderland full of amazing people and fellow travelers at a local hostel. I spent some time exploring Stockholm and its museums, culture and history. All while planning to fly out to Kiruna and risking it all on a single day to see the Northern lights. My date was ominous; Friday the 13th, what a good day to risk my luck on.

The flight to Kiruna was quick, but memorable. I gazed with a child-like wonder out the window as we flew over Lapland below. Now I’m from Texas and seeing that much snow really warmed my heart. I booked a professional tour through Getyourguide and waited until the evening at my hotel. My tour guide Dmitri showed up promptly at 8pm and the lights were already forming in the night sky. After picking up our fellow travelers we headed out to chase the Northern Lights.

Dmitri drove us around until we found a good spot to watch the lights from. He set up a bonfire for us to warm our bodies through the night. There I was dressed up from head to toe in a winter suit just to stay warm in the below freezing weather. We took photos from time to time with Dmitri and his professional camera.

Yet, the Northern Lights weren't the only miracle that occurred during that wintery evening. We sat around that bonfire talking about our lives, the 5 of us. How we got where we were and our journey so far. When it was my turn to share, it felt like I was at peace. It wasn’t until one of the group members asked me if I would go back and re-do things, would I? For the first time in my life, I said no, with no regrets and a clear mind. I had found the acceptance I always needed about my military service. In that amazing moment is when the Northern lights began dancing across the sky, like some higher power gracing us with its beauty. From every shade of green to red and everything in between exploded in the night. God was creating a masterpiece just for us.

I left that place feeling lighter than I ever had, and my heart no longer carried the same burdens. Of all the miracles that occurred that night I was most grateful for my own inner experience. Seeing the Northern Lights was truly a magical and spiritual experience bringing peace and acceptance to the hearts of us travelers searching for something more.