As we stepped onto the northbound trailhead of the Sandia Crest it felt like we were greeting an old friend. We have hiked countless trails throughout the Cibola National Forest over many years, but this was our first time setting foot into the forest wearing snowshoes. Having only become avid snowshoers over the past few years, we were excited to see what the mountains in our backyard had to offer. The first fifteen minutes of steps were filled with noise and congestion on the trail between cross country skiers and snowshoers who were making their way to or from the trailhead. Then moments and a mile later there is was…the stillness…the peace and calm of the forest enveloped in the magic of snow. Bliss. The mountain’s crest wore a white flawless coat made from millions of snowflake diamonds reflecting from the afternoon’s sun. Above me were towering forest pines dwarfed with 8 inches of snow, quietly groaning under the weight as the wind forced them to sway into a slow dance. From the dancing branches of the pines snow flurries waltzed wildly in the air landing upon our hair. The feeling of experiencing this snowscape was whimsical, infinite, and free because snow never falls the same way twice, nor the same depth, nor with the same snowflakes.
Pausing to take it all in we decided to take a short break with a cup of hot lavender tea from our thermos with a dash of snow for flavor. Unable to sit or maneuver our feet on the narrow packed trail we decided to rest our poles against a fallen tree as we stood in place taking in the scent of lavender and a lungful of mountain air. Beaming with the feeling of awe in this enchanting place I reached for Paul’s hand to hold and share this moment that required no words. In taking his hand I immediately felt something foreign that was round, cold, and made of metal. He squeezed my hand tight and my heart dropped. He turned towards me and by some miracle of balance and agility he got down on one knee wearing his 34 inch snowshoes and asked “Jill, Will you marry me?”