There are some moments that don’t feel real until much later—when the mud settles, the gear is rinsed, and the adrenaline fades. My 100th dive was one of those moments.

It wasn’t just that I had reached a milestone. It wasn’t even that I got to do it in Hudson Grotto, a dive site with character (and by character, I mean near-zero visibility and a mysterious, dark allure). It was that I got to share the dive—and the entire day—with the Paul Heinerth.

Yes, that Paul Heinerth. In case you don’t know him, let me introduce you. Paul Heinerth is a world-renowned cave and technical diver, best known for his pioneering explorations in underwater cave systems around the globe. A true legend in the diving world, Paul was part of USDCT, the United State Deep Caving Team and has pushed the limits of human exploration beneath the surface. Despite his accomplishments, he remains incredibly humble—always ready to share his knowledge and adventures. Not only can he still be found in the water but leading the way to students and friends alike.

Before we even suited up, Paul spent the morning sharing stories with my dive home school group—stories of his adventures, discoveries, and milestones. He spoke humbly for someone who’s done it all but would also like to hear about our first open water dives rather than brag about his record-breaking cave explorations.

Then came the dive.

Visibility was basically none in Hudson Grotto that day. The water was dark but I didn’t care. Paul was my buddy. We did the grotto rotation together—something that felt almost ceremonial. I followed his light, well tried to, and his experience. There’s something magical about diving with someone who has literally been there and back more times than you can count and has accomplished the milestones and respect he has.

Afterward, my mom brought cupcakes and a shirt to mark the milestone. She tried to make it a celebration, and it was—kind of. But more than anything, the day made me realize how much farther I want to go. I’m proud of dive 100, but more than that, I’m hungry for dive 200, 500, 1000. This is just the beginning and celebrating seemed kind of silly as I am just doing something I love.

A few months later Paul was already inviting us back to place items of our choosing on the walls of the Grotto . But just days after the dive was supposed to happen, Hurricane Milton devastated Scuba West and the Grotto. The shop was flooded, gutted, left in pieces. It was a gut-punch to a place that had given so much to so many.

But then the dive community did what it does best, we came together. We hauled out debris, scrubbed down gear, demod and patched what we could. I will always remember cleaning out cabinets and pulling nails from trim. I couldn’t do as much as others but I hope my being there made a small difference. Professionals stepped in to finish the job. Slowly, painfully, the site reopened. And we dove again. Supporting an iconic place, yes—but also a privilege , in a way. Re-opening day I even won a year-long pass to dive there.

I was lucky to be a small part of that cleanup. And I was lucky to dive with Paul for #100. But more than that, I’m grateful that someone like him— a legend in every sense—knows my name. Knows my family. Encourages my journey.

So here’s to dive 100. And here’s to what’s ahead because sooooo many dives and experiences are still waiting.