Day of Hope #104

Friday August 13 – Day of Hope #104

Goal: Enjoy a Spa Day in a new state

Quote: “Even on vacation, choosing yourself is still an act of hope.” – Kayla Jones

On August 11th, we flew into Indiana and stayed at a hotel near the Notre Dame stadium. We even toured the stadium, which was such a fun and unexpected experience. My boyfriend’s family had planned a gathering, and the idea was to have all of his kids meet and spend time together at an Airbnb near the beach.

But life had its own plans. One of his sons called with terrible news. Severe winds had hit their area, knocking a tree onto their house and another onto their car. They lost power and had to deal with insurance and cleanup, so they weren’t sure when they would arrive, maybe Friday, maybe even Saturday.

Still, we made the best of it. Some friends came by the Airbnb for dinner, and afterward we walked to the beach, just ten minutes away. We ended the night around a bonfire, talking and laughing late into the early morning hours.

August 13th – My Day of Hope

Even when a Day of Hope falls in the middle of a busy event or trip, I still try to carve out time just for me. So, I opened Google and found a place called New Buffalo Spa in New Buffalo, Michigan, close to Union Pier where we were staying. I booked their Total Relaxation Package, and it was exactly what my soul needed.

It started with a twenty-minute serenity bath filled with Epsom salts and therapeutic essential oils. From there, I enjoyed an eighty-minute massage with a hand and foot scrub that felt absolutely heavenly. Then came a custom facial, detoxifying, cleansing, gentle, and soothing, with a décolletage massage that made me melt into the table.

They were wonderful, and by the end of it I was completely relaxed. So relaxed, in fact, that I went straight back to the Airbnb and took a long nap. Even though it was only a few hours to myself, it was the perfect reset.

I woke up just in time for dinner and finished the night in the hot tub, letting the warmth settle everything inside me.

My lesson of hope: Even in the middle of family, noise, schedules, and plans, it’s okay to step away and give yourself a moment. Hope grows strongest when we pause long enough to breathe.