Rachelle Hampton

Our story today takes place in a small island community off the coast of Washington State. The year-round population is just under 2,000 people, though that number doubles during the summer when the island is maybe one of the most beautiful places in the world. Because this island is only accessible by ferry or helicopter, the community is super tight-knit.

Our story today takes place in a small island community off the coast of Washington State. The year-round population is just under 2,000 people, though that number doubles during the summer when the island is maybe one of the most beautiful places in the world. Because this island is only accessible by ferry or helicopter, the community is super tight-knit.

Almost all of the emergency services on the island are done by volunteers from the community, from the EMTs to the fire department to the harbor patrol. Do you have any experience living in a small community like this? Does it appeal to you at all?

Almost all of the emergency services on the island are done by volunteers from the community, from the EMTs to the fire department to the harbor patrol. Do you have any experience living in a small community like this? Does it appeal to you at all?

That is exactly how our friend of a friend, Kennedy, felt. Kennedy moved to *** Island 10 years ago when she was 24. You see, one of Kennedy's favorite movies growing up was the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Kindergarten Cop. Have you seen this movie?

That is exactly how our friend of a friend, Kennedy, felt. Kennedy moved to *** Island 10 years ago when she was 24. You see, one of Kennedy's favorite movies growing up was the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Kindergarten Cop. Have you seen this movie?

Just like what's flashing in my head. That is the most important image that you could have in your mind. And this movie is not essential viewing. It is pretty cute. I will say that. Arnold Schwarzenegger is an LAPD detective who has to go undercover as a kindergarten teacher in the Pacific Northwest. Hijinks ensue.

Just like what's flashing in my head. That is the most important image that you could have in your mind. And this movie is not essential viewing. It is pretty cute. I will say that. Arnold Schwarzenegger is an LAPD detective who has to go undercover as a kindergarten teacher in the Pacific Northwest. Hijinks ensue.

But I think the most important thing to note is that the town they film in is absolutely gorgeous. It has got that beautiful morning fog rolling in. The mountains are towering in the distance. Kennedy saw that movie as a little kid in the flat suburban sprawl of the Midwest and decided that when she grew up, she was going to live in the Pacific Northwest no matter what.

But I think the most important thing to note is that the town they film in is absolutely gorgeous. It has got that beautiful morning fog rolling in. The mountains are towering in the distance. Kennedy saw that movie as a little kid in the flat suburban sprawl of the Midwest and decided that when she grew up, she was going to live in the Pacific Northwest no matter what.

She was.

She was.

Exactly. Yeah. So when Kennedy saw a listing for a registered nurse on the island, she packed her bags immediately. And that was 10 years ago. And it was the perfect choice for her. Kennedy loves island life. It feels like the sort of place where the Winchester brothers from Supernatural would go in like the absolute best possible way.

Exactly. Yeah. So when Kennedy saw a listing for a registered nurse on the island, she packed her bags immediately. And that was 10 years ago. And it was the perfect choice for her. Kennedy loves island life. It feels like the sort of place where the Winchester brothers from Supernatural would go in like the absolute best possible way.

Kennedy loves that she can pretty much bike everywhere she needs to. She loves that she knows everyone and everyone knows her. She loves how the remoteness of the island instills a real sense of community engagement. Within a few months of her living there, she was asked to join the planning board, even though her degrees were in music, theater, and art history, and she was 24 years old.

Kennedy loves that she can pretty much bike everywhere she needs to. She loves that she knows everyone and everyone knows her. She loves how the remoteness of the island instills a real sense of community engagement. Within a few months of her living there, she was asked to join the planning board, even though her degrees were in music, theater, and art history, and she was 24 years old.

And Kennedy did. She did it for six whole years. But she decided six years in that there might be a more fun way to serve her community. Yo-A, did you ever have the little kid dream of being a firefighter?

And Kennedy did. She did it for six whole years. But she decided six years in that there might be a more fun way to serve her community. Yo-A, did you ever have the little kid dream of being a firefighter?

A person in uniform. So hot. So hot. Strong. Can break down a door.

A person in uniform. So hot. So hot. Strong. Can break down a door.