Ah, romance. Wonderful romance. Romantic walks along the seashore, holding hands with someone special. Moonlight dinners and getaway weekends. Great way to get to know someone, right? What about getting to know YOURSELF! Yes, have a romantic encounter with yourself. Pamper yourself silly! Get to know all about yourself.

Well, I had the chance to do that last weekend.

My fiancée (soon to be husband) treated me to a day of pampering. He purchased a gift certificate for Salon Aurora , located on Main Street in East Greenwich for my birthday. I finally decided to use it right before my wedding.

When I walked into the salon that morning, I was in awe. I never expected to see what I did. There were water fountains, over stuffed chairs and couches, plants galore, paintings of Roman women basking at an ancient spa, and everyone with a huge grin on their faces. I mean everyone! Even the employees were smiling because they truly enjoyed working in such a beautiful establishment.

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After scouting around the spa for a few minutes, I was asked by a receptionist which "gift package" I was using today. I had been given the "Revitalize" package, which included a Spa manicure, Spa pedicure, a 30 minute Express European Deep Cleaning facial, a 30 minute Therapeutic massage AND a healthy lunch. There are many different "gift packages" that can be purchased for your special someone, starting at $85.00 up to $335.00, plus customized packages for your wedding party (or for yourself for that matter.)

I was pleased with my package as I sure needed to be revitalized after 2 kids graduating from college and from the stress from my upcoming wedding.

I was whisked away to my first "pampering" of the day, a full body massage. The room was painted with warm, comforting colors and paintings of more Roman women indulging at a spa. Soft music and candles helped set the mood for a relaxing time.

My personal masseuse encouraged me to relax and enjoy the day. Soothed by the music and the masseuse's gentle touch,

I quickly drifted off into dream land. Before I knew it, the massage was over and I was on to my facial.

If you have never had a facial, you have got to get one. It is wonderful! Imagine scented lotions and creams being delicately placed on your skin and smoothed into every tiny fold. Next step was exfoliating to help aerate the skin (and helps with acne, which I seemed to have developed right before the wedding). More soothing music and dim lighting helped create the relaxed atmosphere.

Again, before I knew it, I was done. I was whisked away again to another room for lunch.

Pastel colored plates, real silverware and crystal!! I was impressed. Deli wraps seemed to be the food of choice for most clients and it is usually ordered by the receptionist. (If you have a special request for food, please make sure that the receptionist knows that upon entering the spa). I sat there, sampling my delicious salad and enjoying every single morsel, probably for the first time in my life. Not having to cut up the kids meat or make sure they have their full glass of milk, I took my time eating. . It's strange how one can really taste what they are eating with all the different aromas and flavors mixed together and not just piled in a heap and devoured at the first glance. It was quite enjoyable. But, alas, my scrumptious meal was done and I was off to my next new "pampering" experience...

Next was a pedicure. Girls, (and guys for that matter) if you have never had a pedicure you must have one! A private room, warm water soak and I was ready to dive my little pinkies into ecstasy! They were exfoliated, massaged, filed, and buffed in a way that would delight your favorite blacksmith. My color of choice was off-white. Yes, I was playing conservative on these pinkies as I don't want to alarm the in-laws at the wedding.

Finally, my manicure. Being that I am in front of a computer 24-7, between my full time job as a technical specialist and freelance writer, these old hands get pretty tired. They were stretched, soaked, massaged and finally painted another conservative color.

I was ready for my beauty debut . However, that wouldn't be for awhile, as I slowly was brought back to reality when my nails were finally done drying.

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I had to go home. After a day like this, who would want to go home? I had a romantic day with myself and was so refreshed by the end of the day that when I returned home, I didn't yell at the guys for not cleaning up their messes. I just looked at my toes and my hands, stroked my cheek, felt the stress leave my body and remembered that I was "queen for a day" at Aurora's.

So, get romantic with the most important person in your life -- yourself. Have yourself a special day at Aurora's. You deserve it!

About the author, Linda Eagleson: Linda Eagleson has been a writer for as long as she can remember. She has been published in local papers, anthologies, and columns, and participates in poetry slams throughout the state.

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