“No one in the United States understands what drives people to leave where they are and come here. We have forgotten that struggle.”

Alex Meyer is 6’-8” tall. His girlfriend Kelsey is 6’-2”. Kelsey admits they hit their heads all the time; every virtue has its price. The couple met in Union College, where Alex played basketball and Kelsey volleyball. They were better at sport than academics; although they didn’t complete their degrees, the couple continue to explore meaningful yet enjoyable work.

Kelsey explains, “I had the corporate life. Sitting is the new smoking. Sitting kills you. I hated it more than life itself.” Now, she is a nanny for a family with three young children in Albany and studying graphic design. “That’s satisfying work that you can do without being tied down.”

Alex, 26, grew up in Poughkeepsie and appreciates having his family nearby. He didn’t quite finish college; he builds cabinets and works construction. Two years ago he bought a house on five acres in a bank foreclosure. The place had been inhabited by a hoarder without power or heat for two years. He spent more than the purchase price in repairs and added sweat equity to create a very nice home. “All of my friends still live with their families. Here I am a homeowner, with mortgage and stuff.” But Alex is not completely grown up; he’s also built a mountain bike course through his woods.

In fact, the most interesting dynamic about Alex and Kelsey is the duality of being settled and seeking adventure. They have been together a long time, they love their house, yet they still live apart during the week and each reveled in stories of great excursions they made on their own. Kelsey spent a winter living on a boat in St. Thomas. Alex spent time on a remote beach in Kauai. “I sat on the beach and let the waves roll over me. They came in, bigger and bigger. It was the night of my baptism. I felt the power of everything: the trees; the waterfall, the waves. They were alive with me.”

How will we live tomorrow?

“In Kauai I learned that I am blessed with relationship. I run into people every day who are amazing. In that experience I met person after person who made something amazing happen. Now I share that experience with everyone I meet. My job in life is to bless as many people as I can.” – Alex Meyer

“When I was in the ninth grade I was in a competition where they asked the question, “If you could have dinner with any person dead or alive, who would it be?” I froze. When I first heard your question, I had the same response. Now I know, I would like to have dinner with my grandfather, who died suddenly. I never had the chance to discuss everything I wanted with him. And to your questions I will say, I envy spontaneity. I have never had a plan in life. Tomorrow will come without a plan.” – Kelsey