While climbing at the gym, I spotted a beautiful athletic girl across the room and quickly moved over to climb the route next to her. A brief chat revealed she had an intelligent, vibrant, passionate personality and was a cyclist, skier, and climber. Despite my excitement, I didn't ask for her phone number and figured that could happen the next time we crossed paths at the gym. After weeks of excessive gym attendance without seeing her, I started to get frustrated, thinking I missed my opportunity. But then one night I spotted her outside a neighborhood theater after both watching the documentary Meru. My mind went into auto pilot and I convinced her to join forces climbing. After a couple weeks of climbing together and a day after getting the, "let's just be friends" talk, she was smitten too. And now I get to have this woman be my partner in the mountains and at home. I'm so excited for what lies ahead for the two of us.

- Dave