I would have done the same myself @libertybele. The only difference would be that I may not have returned. Everyone I know that has lived in Alaska yearns to return.
And truthfully, the difference between the advertising world and AK mst have been stark.
I lived in Fairbanks for about two years. Solitude, surrounded by mountains and nature and just breathtakingly beautiful. Yes, I admit though it was a long time ago and I was young, I do miss the mountains.
So got married later in life and wound up in FL, stark contrast also to AK. Sigh....I wanted to move to the Blue Ridge mountains when we downsized about 6 years go but didn't want to leave my kids and grandkids.
Funny how life throws us curves. My emotions usually win.