Happy Birthday....VERY. Happy. Birthday.

To say I had a happy birthday this year would be an understatement. 

Think absolute serenity. 

Think room service. 

Think ginormous pillowy bed. 

Think  Heaven. on. Earth. 

This ducky about sums up the experience. 

My sister spoiled me absolutely ROTTEN (and I have to say I LOOOOOOOOOOVED it!!!!).  She booked us a suite at a premiere spa which we decided was best described as "a monastery with product."  :-)  Seriously, you can't help but meet your spiritual self at this phase of relaxation. 

The spa requires you leave cell phones, iPods, cameras, computers....all those things that buzz in your ear incessantly and prohibit complete and utter clarity....back in your room. 

....then they surround you with the most gorgeous surroundings you can possibly imagine.

...and then they let you lather yourself in as much lotions, exfoliators, soaps, lotions (there was a LOT of lotioning happening) and spa splendor that you can find. 

Delightful. 

Oh, and then there was this.  The bed. 

I have asked this bed to marry me, but it hasn't responded yet.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to leave it, but with some therapy I may be on the road to recovery. 

And the bathroom.  *sigh*

You may think it strange that this post contains not 1, but THREE pictures of the bathroom, but maybe after you meet "the shower," you will understand. 

It has its own lighting.  Because it can. 

It also has 4 million jets and shower heads. 

I'm certain I was in flight at one point.  :)

Everywhere you looked....beauty.

The drive up. 

We had a surprise 5 inches of snow fall the day before (the first of the season!), and it blanketed the whole experience in magic!  We took a NIGHTtime swim in the heated pool, and the freshness of the air, the snow on the tall pines all around us, the steam rising off the water, the fire crackling beside the pool....it was literally like a dream, surreal and inexplicably beautiful! 

Our view....I love that they lit up their woods!!! 

Makes me want to do the same with our woods!

And this may seem shallow to post a picture of my "goody bag" contents, but each and every piece is such a testament to how well my sister knows me.  (She even got me NyQuIl so we could sleep the GOOD sleep on our little getaway!!!!  This chick is GOOD!!!)  The jacket I fell in love with while we were up north this summer, and she remembered (of course) and had it shipped....each little piece is so me....I was definitely feelin' the love! 

 

My sis is the reason I do lots of things in life, but most importantly, she's the reason I wanted a sister for my girls.  I want this love....this down to the CORE "soul" connection....this "sisterness" for them more than anything else on Earth.  It's unspeakable gratitude that I have for her....she is light and laughing until your stomach hurts and infinite love. 

She's my miracle.