Linda is my dearest friend, part of the family of my heart. We both live outside of Portland. Unfortunately for us, she lives outside Portland, Oregon and I live outside Portland, Maine. Best friends couldn’t get much father away on the continental United States. Our visits, while less frequent than we like, help us reconnect and renew our precious bond.

A Friendship Based on Fitness and Fun

Like most friends, our points of connection are many and varied, but our love of exercise and the outdoors is one of the most important. And while we pride ourselves in our commitment to sports and fitness, we are also unabashedly devoted to fashion and all that it implies – hair, make-up, treatments – all the things that support the constant maintenance it takes for us to go confidently into the world.

Because our face-to-face is limited, Linda and I have come up with a way to maximize our time together and take care of ourselves in the bargain, giving our bodies, our minds, and our friendship a chance to catch up.

Planning the Spa Staycation

When Linda comes to visit, we set aside time just for us, a spa staycation, if you will. A long-ago trip to Canyon Ranch Spa gave us a template for how we structure the day, which is devoted to fitness, healthy eating, beauty treatments, and relaxation.

The atmosphere is key. I trick out our rooms with aromatherapy candles, lots of fluffy pillows on the beds, fresh flowers on the dresser, and thick white robes in the closet. The bathroom is stocked with plush towels, bubble bath, and scented lotions.

Food, too, is a critical element of our spa day. I prepare much of ours in advance, keeping choices healthy and portions reasonable. Fresh fruit and vegetables dominate the menu and selections are made as much for visual appeal as for taste and nutrition. The spa staycation is an opportunity to engage all our senses.

The Spa Day Schedule

After a banana smoothie dotted with blueberries, the day starts with a walk. And not just any walk, mind you, but one of epic proportions. We have been known to walk or hike for hours; it’s a perfect time to catch up while working out. If the weather is warm, we end up at the ocean for a beach pedicure – rubbing sand on our feet and standing knee deep in the cold water, soothing tired muscles. On cold days, we’ll head home for a hot soak before lunch.

Afternoons are reserved for guest appearances. Our favorite visitor lately is Rodney Yee, a yoga instructor of unsurpassed patience and talent. OK, Rodney appears to us via DVD, but his classes are perfect for an hour of active meditation and body awareness. When we’re finished with Rodney, we get ready for treatment time.

Treatment Time

Masks, facials, manicures, pedicures, hot oil conditioning, exfoliating, mud scrubs – our motto is “too much is never enough” when it comes to our home spa ministrations. Treatment time lets us experiment with potions and elixirs, temporary consequences be damned. It was after one of these sessions I realized that I would never truly get the hang of false eyelashes. But it sure was fun trying.

Our day ends with dinner and a movie – enjoyed in PJ’s and bunny slippers. Dinner is something elegant and easy like broiled fish and steamed vegetables, punctuated by a tiny dessert – like one perfect dark chocolate truffle. The movie is invariably a chick flick, often featuring an actress like Cameron Diaz or Meg Ryan, and always with the requisite happy ending.

Linda and I emerge from each visit refreshed and renewed, our friendship shored up to survive until the next time. The benefits – physical, mental and emotional – linger long after the experience is a memory.

Rodney Yee Yoga DVD - $11.98, False eyelashes - $9.00, Spa day with my bestie – priceless.