I set out at dawn, just as the first light brushed the horizon, enough to guide my steps along the trail.

The hike to the ice caves was a long one, winding through back country, with only a path to ease the journey. Back then, the caves were a secret gem, known only to a few, and the only way to reach their entrance was by hiking up the base of the mountain. I remember the mouth of the cave. It was wide, yawning like, and inviting.

It was early summer, and I was stepping into a whole new world. The moment I entered the cave for the first time, awe washed over me. The sun filtered through, melting the ice hanging from the stalactites, and turning the ice into shimmering raindrops that cascaded down the cones, pooling at the stalagmites below. It felt magical, the way the light danced on the water, creating an almost dreamlike reflection.

Exploring the caverns. I was pulled deeper into its secrets. Smaller openings led to hidden chambers, where the air grew colder and the space darker. I remember crawling through a narrow gap, the cold so sharp it fogged my breath in the beam of my flashlight as I emerged into new cavern. It was as if I’d stepped into another world, a crystalline wonderland that made my heart race. The thrill of finding hidden drafts, lighting a small flame to follow the air currents to another hidden passage—it was a discovery that made me want more.

Hours later, as I emerged from the cave, I settled at the entrance for lunch. I remember looking down into the valley, draped in the lush green of early summer, trees swaying gently in the breeze. In that quiet moment, I knew I’d return to this place. It had left its mark on me, filled me with wonder, and I craved to experience it again.

Much like that cave, meeting you for the first time, awe washed over me. Just like those glistening drops of water sparkling in the sunlight, you put that same sparkle in my eyes. Exploring the cave was like discovering something new and fascinating at every turn, just as getting to know you felt like uncovering something special and captivating with every moment.

And just like the allurement of that majestic cave, your beauty inside and out allured me from the start.