How Can Learning Spanish Open Unexpected Connections in Daily Life?

Trails in Two Languages: Heather Lowe

Heather Lowe didn’t set out to change her life with Spanish, but that’s exactly what happened. As a librarian, traveler, and lifelong learner, Heather discovered that language wasn’t just a skill; it was a bridge to real-world connections, both on and off the trails she loves to explore. In this article, discover how one step at a time, through parks, libraries, and mountains, Heather turned her passion for Spanish into a tool for deeper human connection.

Heather Lowe describes herself in Spanish with steady confidence: “Estoy agradecida por estar aquí contigo. Soy Heather y soy una bibliotecaria aquí en Texas (“I’m grateful to be here with you, I’m Heather and I’m a librarian here in Texas”)”. Beneath that calm introduction is a storyteller's spirit: she loves discovering new places on foot; sometimes, it's the wooded trails near her home and other times, it's the wild terrain of South America. Through her library work and passion for language, she's built connections that even surprise her longtime friends.

She recalls standing in awe of the centuries-old terraces on the Inca Trail in Peru. Her fascination with Incan architecture had drawn her to Machu Picchu, where she fully appreciated, as she puts it, “la combinación de arte y la vida libre” (“the combination of art and free life”). That trip came a year before her trek in Torres del Paine, Chile — an eight-day adventure marked by snow-filled winds and slippery mountain passes. “Había viento lleno de nieve” (“There was wind full of snow”), she says, remembering how she sometimes worried about crossing certain sections. Still, she found herself among hikers from around the world, swapping stories and sharing hot meals, all in Spanish.

Heather's career took an unexpected turn after she considered teaching art. A short-term job at a university library turned out to be so rewarding that she changed paths completely. Since then, she's worked in academic libraries and art archives and eventually became an assistant director at a public library in Dallas. "It's a place where anyone can walk in and ask whatever they want," she says. She's grateful her day-to-day life involves both practical help and a bit of literary escape.

Early on, she noticed that more than 30 percent of her city's population speaks Spanish, which is no small feat considering that the metro area is enormous — Dallas Fort Worth's airport (DFW) is almost the size of Paris, France! That pushed her to get more confident in the language so she could serve everyone who came through the doors. Her approach went beyond grammar drills: she changed her phone and computer to Spanish, listened to podcasts, and got one-on-one coaching.

"I love language. I wanted to communicate in a way that felt real," she says.

One minor but meaningful moment happened right outside her house: she saw an older neighbor struggling with a heavy log and offered, "¿Podría ayudarle, por favor? (“Can I help you, please?”)". She laughs now, remembering his surprised face. "He started calling me 'mija' after that," she says. That simple offer sparked an ongoing abuelita-nieta-style friendship — and showed her how even the slightest phrase can build a bridge.

When she's not helping patrons at the library, Heather's often at the park with her greyhound, Maeve. She fosters other greyhounds, too, describing them as tall, gentle, and sweet-natured. Curious kids often gather to pet the dogs; some of them speak Spanish. "I think Maeve might understand Spanish better than English," Heather says, though only half-joking. "So many friends talk to her in Spanish."

Her Spanish skills have become part of her professional life as well. Once, she was asked to give a complete presentation on strategic planning… entirely in Spanish. "My boss said, 'Oh, I'm sure you're fine,' but I was nervous," she says. She practiced her slides with Coach Óscar, her longtime Spanish partner, until the delivery felt natural. Her heart was racing on the day of the talk, but she pulled it off. Since then, she's answered surprise questions at library events and even appeared on Telemundo with ease. Curiously, when we interviewed Óscar, he mentioned this very same anecdote as a triumph.

Along the way, Heather has collected favorite phrases like "ponte las pilas ("put your batteries on" or "get to work")” which she finds both charming and practical. She encourages other learners to find a motto of their own. "I think you have to fully commit," she says. Fluency doesn't come instantly. For her, immersion means filling her days with the language — Spanish tech settings, TV shows, and books by Spanish-language authors. She recommends novels or essays since an author's vocabulary tends to build naturally over time.

As her Spanish grows stronger, Heather says progress often shows up in the small stuff. It's not always focused on mastering every grammar rule — she instead values how easily a conversation unfolds. You'll find her in majestic places like climbing mountains in the Andes or simply helping someone find the right book because the human connection sticks with her most. "I still make mistakes," she says with a grin, "but I can usually say what I need to say. That's what matters."

Want to hear Heather’s story in her own words?
Listen to her full interview on Conquering Spanish: Interviews with Learners, where she shares how learning Spanish helped her build friendships, conquer new challenges, and connect more deeply with the world around her.