I wasn't as excited as everyone else seemed to be about my approaching fortieth birthday. I know it's just a number but it is a big number, at least to me it is. My spirits had been in the dumps for a while now and I think my friends were starting to really worry about me. It was a few days before the big day and I guess they didn't think it could wait so they showed up at my house with flowers and a big envelope. The envelope contained a pass for a day at a local spa. I had never been to one and my spirits brightened at the thought of a full day just away from everything. One of my friends had recommended I use the certificate on a weekday when it wouldn't be as busy so I made my appointment and notified work I would be taking a personal day.
I arrived to find the place as lavish as my friends had described. Everything was beautiful and from the moment I walked in the door the staff seemed to be just for me. The first thirty minutes I spent with the personal coordinator to go over the options and what I would like to try. When we finished a nice young girl named Sarah came out and led me to a big room in the back. She explained that she would be giving me my body mask then she would do my facial while my pedicure and manicure were being done. She showed me where I could go change into a robe and asked if there was anything I needed that she could get while I changed.
In the changing room I found my assigned cubicle stocked with a fresh robe and slippers. I took my clothes off and couldn't help but look over my naked body in the mirror. It was just dawning on me that I was going to be naked in front of strangers. A slight panic came over me as I turned and checked myself out. There was no backing out now so I put on the robe and slippers and went back to the mudroom. I have never been pampered like I was over the next couple of hours. Everything was incredible and the pedicure, which was more of a foot massage, was unbelievable. As I lay back with my eyes closed just listening to the soft music and trying to not fall asleep I heard Sarah's soft voice in my ear.
"You have several options for the rest of your day." She said.
I looked them over and was tempted to spend the rest of the day in the tanning beds but the massage sounded just too good to pass up. Sarah led me down a long hallway and into a big open room with a massage table in the center. There was a couch on one wall and the rest of the walls were all very large glass doors with white cotton drapes covering them. Everything in the room was white, the floor, the ceiling, the table, and even the ceiling fans. It all seemed pure and spotless. She told me to wait and one of the therapists would be with me soon. I looked around the room and pulled the drapes aside to see the room overlooked the pool area.
I didn't hear him enter so I jumped when he first spoke. His name was Terry and he was going to be my massage therapist today. Just like the room, he was in all white. He explained the drapes were for privacy and if the weather was warmer he would open the doors but he thought it might be a little too cool to do that today for me. He suggested that I make my next visit during warmer weather so I could experience the room with all the doors open. He was very disarming and my initial hesitance to let a man massage me was quickly dissipating.