I am part owner of an architectural engineering company that I helped to start about 10 years ago. Worked my butt off along with a couple of friends to get our business to where it is today. Trouble is, I didn't have time for anything else. That is until a couple of friends insisted that I go with them to their spa.
Hi! My name is Craig. After I graduated from college with my engineering degree, I went to work for a large engineering firm. I worked hard for the company along with a bunch of other engineers, and I'd like to think that we made a pile of bucks for them. The hours were long and it wasn't unusual for us to be at the office or on the job site 6 days out of 7.
We really enjoyed the work as we could see our creations move from paper to life. Several of our projects were nominated each year for builder's and engineering awards and it was personally satisfying to know that our work helped to elevate the profession's benchmarks each year.
However after a little more than 5 years of putting my nose to the grind stone and helping to put the firm's name on the industry's map, I was becoming increasingly disappointed that little of the recognition and reward ever found it's way back to those of us who were a major reason behind why we were doing so well.
So a couple of us decided that we could do a better job and make it more financially rewarding by working for ourselves and doing it our way instead of the "corporate" way. So we pooled our resources and started 'Life Designs' in Denver.
It took us a couple of years of Spartan life styles before the business started finding us instead of us chasing the business. Plus it certainly helped that Denver and its surrounding areas continued to grow which kept demand up for our services. We just got lucky and hit the development curve just right. Life was good. We had all the business we could handle.
After 5 years, one of my partners decided that he would really like to return home to San Francisco but didn't want to disassociate from us. We decided that we would experiment by opening a branch office in San Francisco. After all, we went out on our own so that we could reap the rewards of our hard work and smart thinking. So why not help one of our partners live where he wants to live? If he could run it successfully, it would only make our business stronger by adding geographic diversity.
So the office in San Fran was opened and it reached profitability quickly as it leveraged our good reputation in Denver. Plus it didn't hurt that San Fran was, and still is, undergoing a sort of downtown renaissance. A lot of former abandoned warehouses were being turned into high end loft living quarters and retail store fronts. Fish canneries were turned into shopping plazas. Everywhere one looked, one could find a major rehab project underway. We were elated and our San Fran partner was the happiest of all.
I suspect that this experience encouraged my other partner to suggest opening up an office in Seattle. He had always been intrigued by the city and seeing as how his girl friend came from there, it seemed like a natural next step for us. Plus, like San Francisco, lots of major rehab projects everywhere we turned. And so our Seattle office was opened. It did well also.
My other partners appointed me as the guy in charge as they didn't want to worry about the administrative stuff. The back office was always something that came naturally to me. I guess I'm the more organizationally and administratively oriented of the group. Plus, I have a hard time saying "no" to these two guys. So now I spend two weeks out of four visiting each of the offices as well as trying to keep control of all of the back office functions.
Back to the present ................
It was my typical after work routine; that is, the usual routine that I follow if I'm back in town. Leave the office around 6pm and head to one of several bars that are in the area. Have a couple of drinks, make a dinner out of the snacks and stuff, then go home.
Anyway, I decided that the bar of choice tonight was going to be one that I could walk to from the office. The big plus for this bar was that I didn't have to give up my parking space at my office building and hope that I could find one next to the bar. Major consideration! At least for downtown Denver!
Anyway, I walked up to the bar and ordered myself a beer. As the evening was still a little young, there were a number of open tables. So I took my beer and found an empty table to drop myself into. A waitress came up and handed me a menu. This bar has some of the best appetizers around. I really come here for the food. Yeah, right! At least that's what I keep telling myself.
As I perused the menu, an acquaintance that I've not seen in years walked in with his wife. Ben and I were team mates on a Lacrosse team in college. Strictly for fun; competitively speaking of course! He and I ended up in Denver taking separate routes to get here. But our friendship stuck. He was in his late 30's when he wed this gorgeous and charming woman. She must have been in her early 30's then. They were simply devoted to each other. It was such a pleasure to know this committed couple. Ten years later, they're still in love with each other. That was plain to see.
I waved to Ben and Sharla and invited them to join me if they didn't have any plans. They welcomed the invitation.
"So Craig, where've you been hiding yourself?" Ben asked as Sharla placed their drink orders with the waitress.
"Been out visiting with our people in San Fran and Seattle. Both offices are fairly busy and we need to keep in touch to make sure we know what's going on."
"You're such a work-aholic," Sharla giggled, "just like Ben was when I first met him."
"So, is there a future Mrs. Craig that we should know about?" asked Ben.
I laughed, "Since when do I have the time to devote to a relationship?" I had started down that road a couple of times however never made it all the way to the altar. Perhaps it was my long work hours or being away from home so often, or both. What usually started out with a bang tended to fizzle out at some point. Sharla's retort brought me back to the present......
"Craig, you're not getting any younger and there is a major benefit to having someone in your life."
"Oh? And what is that?" I asked?
"Well........... besides the fantastic sex....." Ben chimed in before Sharla hit him on the arm! "BEN!"
"Seriously, I have to tell you that Sharla has brought a lot of happiness and balance to my life. And I hope that I do the same to her."
Sharla teared up a little, smiled, and gave her hubby a quick hug and a kiss, "Thank you." she said softly, "and you do..."
We had dinner, and enjoyed each other's company for another hour before they got up to leave. Sharla said that it's their weekly visit to a spa in town. One of the things that they pamper themselves with regularly.
"A spa?" I asked? "Don't think that I've ever been to one."
"Oh, you gotta try it! It's the greatest!" Sharla went on, "With the massages and heat treatments and stuff, you'll walk out of there a new person!"
"Yeah," Ben said. "We never thought much about it until someone gave us a one day pass to try it out as a gift. You gotta come with us and try it out!"
Having nothing better to do that night, I went with Ben and Sharla.
The Spa was located on the ground floor of a high rise downtown. Actually, it was just a couple of blocks away from my office. I could probably walk to it if it wasn't raining or snowing. As we entered, my first impression was that the place was clean. I mean clean! You could smell how clean it was and see the shine on the counters.
Reception was a no-nonsense affair. A counter behind which sat two very good looking gals. With their gym wear on, they both could have been in a photo shoot for a sports clothing catalog! Both were busy doing whatever they do at reception. Anyway, as we walked in, Ben and Sharla showed their membership cards and then introduced me as a guest and a potential member.
One of the gals, Noelle (that's what her name tag said!), handed me a membership packet and volunteered to show me around the place so I could see the various amenities. Ben and Sharla went their separate ways into the locker rooms and Noelle took me on my tour.
The first stop was the men's locker room. It was a good thing that she knocked as Ben was struggling out of his clothes at the time. We had a good laugh at his expense! There were a bunch of guys coming and going, some in gym wear however most in bath robes.
Noelle explained, "normally, our members remove their clothes in here and store them in their assigned lockers. Robes for members are dispensed from the service counter over there. You can bring your own lock however we just ask that you leave us a spare key or the combination just in case you lock yourself out."
"Ah......, Noelle, do they remove all their clothes?" I asked as I saw a couple of guys walk out of the locker room with only their robes on.
"It depends on what you want to do during your time here. If you plan to hit the fitness center than it probably makes a lot of sense to dress accordingly. However if it's a massage, sauna or Jacuzzi visit, then dressing down completely is more appropriate and practical. Swim wear for the sauna or Jacuzzi is at your option. Most members find that underwear or swim wear can sometimes get in the way of certain massage therapies. Plus its easier going from massage therapy to the sauna or the Jacuzzi without having to go back and forth to the locker room."
"We supply the robes so you don't have to worry about laundering and any of that stuff. And it's all included in your monthly membership fee."
She then led me down a hallway that had three sets of glass double doors that led to three separate areas. The first room held a fitness center with a bunch of work out machines. From what I could see, the center was well equipped with a bunch of cardio oriented equipment. I could see myself making good use of the recumbent bicycle and the Stairmaster.
The second room held their massage rooms, a room for a beautician, a room for a visiting practitioner, a Jacuzzi and Sauna, and an ice plunge. They actually had several Jacuzzi's. One for men, one for women, and one that was coed. Same with the saunas.
"Ah, Noelle, why are their three Jacuzzi's and Sauna's?" I asked.
"Well, with most of our members preferring to be nude in them, some like to have some privacy while others come with spouses and prefer to be with their spouse. Saves them the hassle of trucking their swim suits back and forth or an extra change of clothes."
Ok, that made sense. And with me being basically a shy sort of guy (yes, I am a very private person) the men only Jacuzzi would probably be the route for me.
The third room seemed to be more like a hotel lobby. It was nicely carpeted with a reception desk. Noelle explained that occasionally members wished some quiet time to rest and relax so they were free to use one of several guest rooms if one was available. No over night stays allowed however. She led me into the lobby and snagged a key from the reception desk so I could see what one of the rooms looked like. It was just like a hotel room, complete with its own private bathroom.
As we returned to the front desk, Noelle asked if I might want to sign up for a trial membership of 3-months. Then if I liked it, they would automatically roll me over to an annual membership. That sounded like a good idea so I had her do the paperwork for me.
