An Anniversary Far Away

We drove up the snowy, winding road toward the cozy A-frame cabin. This hidden gem is nestled at the base of Mount Shasta. Thomas grew up here, and it was only my second time visiting.

It was twilight as Thomas and I opened the doors of the car and grabbed our last-minute packed bags, the crisp air embraced our faces almost instantly making our cheeks rosy. I glanced at Thomas, whose blonde curls and blue eyes seemed to only be enhanced by the pink flush on his face. It rather suited his tall and broad-framed body.

The warm, glowing light inside the cabin looked so inviting! Ice crunched beneath my boots as we carefully, but quickly, rushed up the driveway! Using our AirBnB app, I quickly looked up the instructions our host had sent me and easily found the code to electronically punch in the numbers on the keypad attached to the door handle, to let ourselves in.

Upon opening the door, we were greeted with a rush of warm inviting air, scented like pine, and the freshness only a wood cabin in the forest can bring. The cabin looked so dreamy, with warm wooden walls and floors– complimented with creamy-colored linen sofas with big plush pillows in the living room. The host had even left us firewood so we could get a cozy fire roaring in the fireplace.

Thomas began artfully stacking the wood in the fireplace as he called out to me, “Sophie, can you please take our bags to the room? Once I get the fire started I am going to make us some hot mulled cider and then get dinner started.” As I picked up our bags and found my way to the bedroom I couldn't help but bask in my excitement that Thomas was cooking for us. He was making my favorite mushroom risotto and chocolate souffle for dessert, both of which were his most popular and favorite dishes at the restaurant he managed. Thomas was normally so busy with work– my thoughts were interrupted as I flicked on the switch to the bedroom. The crisp white sheets on the king bed were so luxurious and in combination with the warm overhead lighting, it looked like the best place to fall into a deep sleep. I could see out of the french doors in the bedroom that the sunset was leaving a warm orange-tinted sparkle on the snow outside. I set the bags down and the smell of cider spices drifted toward me. I was instantly drawn back to the kitchen.

As I entered the living room I could hear the crackle and spark of the fire Thomas had made and it was illuminating the open floor plan of both the kitchen and fireplace. Thomas had found the directions that the host left for us on how to use the smart home system and he was playing some relaxing instrumental holiday music. Thomas handed me a mug of mulled cider, which felt great in my hands as the aromatic taste of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice danced on my tastebuds.

The kitchen was beautiful. Thomas chose this listing on Airbnb for a reason, and he never settled for anything less than amazing, especially when dealing with kitchens. I unloaded the rest of the groceries for Thomas, including the hand-churned butter, biodynamic white wine, arborio rice, and porcini mushrooms while Thomas collected a few staples the host kept the kitchen stocked with– a pepper grinder and some sea salt.

Thomas gathered all the ingredients near the stove, and I heard the clicking of the gas stove as he got the risotto started. “How long does risotto take to cook? I can’t quite remember,” I casually asked as I sipped my drink. “Only about twenty minutes my love,” Thomas replied in his deep and melodic voice. “ I have a surprise for you after dinner, this is our anniversary after all!”

One year of being married to Thomas, and he always made things like date nighs, my birthday, and now our anniversary so special. He managed to surprise me with this trip, which we booked only this morning.

I excitedly giggled and playfully said, “Are you going to let me in on the surprise, I can hardly wait!” Thomas stated matter of factly, “No. A surprise is a surprise!”

Dinner, as usual, was more than delicious. With my belly full and my heart happy, Thomas and I curled up and melted into the sofa, next to the fireplace. Thomas looked at me with his blue eyes beaming, “Any minute now, the next surprise should be arriving!” A little astonished, I whispered, “Our surprise is arriving?”

At that very moment, the chimes of the doorbell rang through the house. I looked over at Thomas, who was already striding toward the door. The door whisked open as cool air entered the house, like Jack Frost’s breath. A dance troupe swirled into the room wearing purple and burgundy jewel-toned robes that flowed and swished around as they spun in choreographed movement, filling the room with color, action, and an almost meditative feeling. At first, I had not noticed they brought their own musicians, a guitar player plus a couple of women who were singing and chanting. The music overflowed my heart and the dancing was so joyful.

As the music quieted down the dancing slowed and the group gathered into a circle. Thomas was hugging me, holding me at the waist, and softly spoke into my ear, “C’mon Sophie, let’s go into the middle of the circle.”

As we walked into the middle of the circle, the dance troupe members reached into their pockets and showered us both with white rose petals. Thomas grabbed both of my hands and looked me in the eyes, “Sophie, you are the love of my life. I promise to always be here for you in the good moments and the bad ones, too. You make me a better man, and as long as you are by my side, I know we can accomplish anything we set our minds to.” I embraced Thomas, barely managing to wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, then I pulled back to look him in the eyes and say, “ Thomas, you are the man of my dreams and I will always be by your side. I will always strive to love you will all of my heart.” The dancers began to swirl around us as the music began to play, louder and louder.

The room started to swirl around us and my heart felt so full– until suddenly there was a burst of white light. Suddenly, it was dark again, and shockingly quiet. Thomas and I were sitting outside together. The yard was big and was filled with great big pine and fir trees. The moonlight was shining bright, twinkling upon the snow. I was still spinning and couldn’t gather words to speak so I sat there in the warmth of Thomas’s arms, just wondering– “What happened, and why are we outside?”

My thoughts were interrupted by a crackling sound. I looked straight ahead and a mountain lion approached us. Too stunned to react, I sat there in amazement– she was regal and her fur glowed in the moonlight. She purred and began to melodically speak to us, “I am Riya the lioness of this forest. Follow me, my darlings, and I will show you the city of crystals.” I looked at Thomas in disbelief. He looked back at me without saying a word, reassuring me with a smile, and took my hand in his as he got up and ushered me to follow.

It was silent and peaceful in the forest. We followed this mystical mountain lion to the base of a very snowy Mount Shasta. We stood in front of a very peculiarly shaped rock with some markings on it. Riya took her great big paw and swiped the rock three times. The rock began to tremble and move, revealing a cave beneath. “I leave you beautiful beings here, to discover the city of crystals,” Riya purred. And poof, she vanished.

I took a deep breath, “Thomas, is this safe? What is going on?” Thomas exhaled, his breath puffing like a cloud in front of us, “Don’t worry, Sophie, follow me and I promise to keep you safe.” We entered the cave, holding hands and as we stepped forward an incredible city, made entirely of glittering crystal, appeared in front of us!

The city looked just as any other- but made of crystal and it was impeccably clean. The inhabitants were very calm and polite. Everyone was so welcoming, although I could not understand the language they spoke.

Thomas greeted the others and was accepted. There were tall blonde beings gliding down the street, almost as if their feet were not touching the ground. Thomas led me through the city– as if he was familiar with where we were.

We reached a house with the most ornate decorations on the outside, with statues made of sapphire and rubies. Thomas knocked three times and the door graciously floated open. Inside, a woman stood, who embraced Thomas in her arms. She was older and her long blonde hair was slightly silver. Her kitchen smelled of heavenly chocolate cake, just like the one Thomas made on special occasions, and she invited us in. Her home felt so peaceful and I was overwhelmed with a feeling of love. She spoke with Thomas and then went to the other room for a moment, only to bring a jewelry box with her. Thomas smiled at me and gestured at the box she was handing me.

I took the box and slowly opened it, not sure what to expect. Inside was a necklace with a silver chain and a glowing emerald heart-shaped amulet. I tried to say, thank you, but for some strange reason I could not find my voice. The older woman gently lifted the necklace out of the box and clasped it around my neck.

Thomas then said, “Sophie, I would like you to meet my mother.” I could understand what he was saying?! “Oh! I forgot to mention, the amulet will allow you to understand the language of love and light, which is what we speak here, in Lemuria.” Thomas’s mother, Annica, chimed in, “Welcome, dearest Sophie, it is a pleasure, to finally meet you.”

“It is my honor to meet you, you raised the sweetest son. When Thomas told me you lived abroad, I didn’t realize it was in an otherworldly land,” I stated, flawlessly in this new language which I could barely believe I was speaking. I had heard stories of Lemuria, but Thomas had always told them like they were folklore.

Annica, whose voice sounded like chimes in the wind, said, “Yes, we have to protect Lemuria at all costs. Beings who have never visited must have a pure heart, and can only first enter on a Blue full moon, like the one we have tonight and they only happen once every five years. Now that you have been here, you can come whenever you please.”

My love for Thomas only seemed to grow more in this moment, he knew I never would have believed him if he had simply told me. “Thomas, thank you for bringing me home. I am so happy to be here.”

We chatted the night away. Annica’s home was filled with joy and we spent the evening hearing mystical stories about Thomas’s childhood, and we ate plenty of chocolate cake, of course! As the night wound down, we hugged Annica, and said our goodbyes, promising to visit again soon.

I awoke with the morning light gently shining on my face, under the luxurious sheets of the cloudlike bed in our Airbnb. I wondered to myself, “Did last night really happen?” I reached at my neck, and the amulet was still there with the heart-shaped emerald glowing in the morning light. Thomas was already awake, and was coming back into the room with a nice hot tea for me. He winked at me and said, “ How about we book this place again next month?” I smiled, grabbing my phone to pull up the Airbnb app.

The End