It doesn’t seem to matter how old I get. I never learn. It still happens.

Each time, I’m overcome with an almost childish excitement. Unbridled enthusiasm, if you will. Each time, it ends the same way, with so few variations they’re not worth mentioning. Each time, I’m excited, despite the risk I face.

The ache ebbs, and I dive right back in, too quickly, causing the exact same sensation. Makes me pause in the midst of an enjoyable experience, scrunch my face up in concentration, and freeze, ironically, until it passes.

I’m 36, so I’ve been drinking icy drinks and chewing ice cream and popsicles for at least 30 years, and yet still... I get ice cream headaches every freaking time.