(My son, Michael and my Dad)

Spas and men, sometimes, the perception for our men does not warrant a first time visit.  I like to compare it to my first trip to the barber shop with my son. I felt like a big bright ball of estrogen trying to fit in amongst all of the testosterone sitting on the chairs waiting for their 15 minute hair cut. The fit at alayne white spa is much easier if you can get the nervous dad to take the first step and walk through the door,though and usually the first step is the very kind gift card he gets for Fathers Day.

Don’t get me wrong, we have a lot of men who are totally comfortable coming to either of our spa locations, the services they get are facials, pedicures, reflexology and, of course, massages.All are great choices for their first time coming and based on the feedback we get regularly, they are so happy they have found us once you get them in there. For Father’s Day this year, I recommend a few treatments.

Spassage, an almost 90 minute warm oil yummy massage that emphasizes relaxation. If more deep tissue is the call, then the Mega Muscle Meltdown is a perfect fix for tired muscles done by our massage therapists at either location.We also offer at our Bristol location, Happy Feet, a  highly pressured foot massage.We have a new treatment called Talk to the Feet offered exclusively by Jan, our Bristol massage therapist which is about 80 minutes of deep tissue foot reflexoloy.Of course there are our award winning facials which never disappoint because they are so jam packed with lots of extras, like our Best Facial which includes an arm and foot massage, a scalp massage and a shoulder and neck massage. Many men say it is as relaxing as a full body massage.

The number 1 question we get asked from women when they are getting their first treatment with us is, “Do you do this for men?”  It just proves what I always thought, we women are always thinking about other people in our lives. For this I am so grateful to be a woman who loves to share the joy I receive from the spa treatments we give.
Father’s Day is such a nice excuse to spread the spa love. And if he doesn’t decide to use it for whatever reason… well you know what you can use it for.. (hint.. you, so it is a potential win win.. shhhh don’t tell)

On a Side Note: My wacky hippie dad passed away last year. I was with him when he died at the young age of 67. He taught me how to live outside the rules, to live how you choose, no matter what society dictates. He taught me how to enjoy my choices and that success can be however you define it, more time, more money, more or less of both, but to live in your element by living what gives you juice. He helped guide me in my spas, usually with a brandy in his coffee and a ciggerette somewhere close by. He could talk to anyone anywhere and couldn’t stand pretention.
He believed in a form of non parenting parenting, “you are going to do it anyway, so you’ll figure it out because you have to.” Though I didn’t appreciate that form of parenting at the time and I certainly don’t parent that way now, his influence over me continues to surprise me each year I get closer to 50.
The picture of him on the homepage is in his signature red suspenders and connolly campground hat from his campground in the Great Woods of New Hampshire he bought 3 years before he died. He was an interesting father to have, I miss him more than I thought I would, but I am glad I have him in my heart and more importantly my spirit.

(Photo: L-R my Grandmother, Isabelle, my Grandfather, Herbie,  his Sister, Helen and his Brother, Irving, at my son’s Bar Mitzvah last june. Yes everyone is still well and healthy!)

On the opposite side of the spectrum, here is my is my grandfather, my father’s father, who is still very much alive, almost 95 and just bought a brand new Prius. Yes he drives and still lives alone with my grandmother and they are getting ready to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. My grandfather is my role model and mentor and offered the stability and focus my dad lacked. I often have said that I thought of my dad more like an older brother, (he was only 20 years older than me) and my grandfather much more like a father figure. I am the oldest granddaughter by quite a bit and my grandfather is one of my closest allies and supporters. Though I know it is Father’s Day and not grandfather’s day, I at 47, feel so blessed to say that I have my grandparents healthy and lovely in my life. They inspire and humor me and I like to remind all of us to keep them close to your hearts as often as possible. Their time on this planet is precious and it is so great to remember that and tell them you love them. Even more great is to ask them questions about their lives growing up, take photos of the generations and enjoy them no matter how many questions they may ask you. Father’s Day is a good chance to remind yourselves of this.

Happy Fathers Day