After weeks of studying eruption patterns, monitoring USGS data, and waking at 4 a.m. to watch the Kilauea webcams, I finally caught the moment I’d been waiting for. A small splatter from a vent grew into a glowing flow, signaling the birth of a new eruption. I booked the next flight to the Big Island and raced to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. By the time I arrived, Kilauea had erupted into full force—unleashing a spectacular, heart-shaped lava fountain soaring over 1,000 feet into the air. This image captures that incredible moment when patience, timing, and nature’s raw power aligned.