Beth was just out of high school when our relationship began. She was beautiful, soft spoken, gentle and kind. We met on Maui as I was about to embark on a year and a half of far flung travels to Africa, Mexico, Alaska, Maine, and finally back to Oahu. We met several times during that time but they were brief encounters. Our romance involved much letter writing and dreams of what might be in our future together. We went separate ways but remained friends. Our families became friends as well. One thing we did together that was truly special: we hiked in to Haleakala Crater on Maui by way of Kaupo Gap. Her loss has affected me deeply.