Some Enchanted Evening

Sometimes the best ideas come quickly, like little whispers from God. One of my best friends had such an idea yesterday and it was a present I won't ever forget.

Late in the afternoon Crystal called and asked if we wanted to come over for the evening, said that she had planned some spa and pampering activities for the girls, and the guys were going to hang out, watch a movie, and do the male bonding thing. Sounded great, so off we went.

She had told our daughter Rosie to wear her swimsuit and bring her robe and slippers, so as soon as we arrived Rosie joined my friend's daughters Britney and Tiffany and they went upstairs for a jet spa bubble bath by candlelight. We served them sparkling red grape juice in lovely red stemware and took pictures to memorialize the event. Their giggles could likely be heard down the street.

Meanwhile, Crystal 's mom and I were treated to jetted foot soaks and pedicures, complete with massaging back pads tucked behind us in our chairs. We chatted and laughed and I got to know "Mom" a little better, realizing more and more as the moments went by how much she reminds me of my own mother. She even treated me to an expression of; "I'll shake a knot in your tail!" just to give me a special heart smile. It was like having a little bit of my mother with me. The ironic thing is that she is a mixture of my mom and my deeply-missed long time friend Margie, so that made it even better.

The girls emerged from the splash-soaked bathroom like so many little giggling raisins, and we all did paraffin hand treatments. It was my first experience with paraffin, which was a little weird but I loved it. Crystal then proceeded to paint all the girlie toenails in various eye-catching colors, mine being a shocking green with blue polka-dots and Rosie's hot pink with white polka-dots.

The guys came upstairs, our son Trevor with a borrowed acoustic guitar and Crystal 's husband Lou with his Bible, and we had a time of devotion and worship. We capped it all off with a prayer circle around Crystal, blessing her for all she had done to make the evening so amazing for all of us and thanking God for such a wonderful and memorable time with these lovely people.

As if we needed anything more to add to the evening, we were then served German chocolate cake and coffee. We laughed and talked until well after midnight, then reluctantly shared goodbye hugs and came home. I was too wired on coffee and cake and heart-happies to go right to sleep, but my feet sure felt wonderful. It just gave me more time to ponder the sweetness of God that He would bring us to this place and bless our lives with such amazing friends.