Last week Dan told me to block off today for a mystery date. He was absolutely secretive and I've been dying of curiosity all week. This morning Dan was up with the sun but I slept in, and we went to a leisurely brunch.

After a brief stop at Sports Basement for a windbreaker Dan whisked me to Spa Vitale, where we had a delicious rooftop "bathing ritual" (www.hotelvitale.com/gallery/...d4a1.html ). There was fresh fruit (yum, strawberries in the bath!), rose petals on the linens, rooibos tea, and little bells to ding for an attendant. I felt like a little kid in a grown-up's bath, I alternated between giggling and sighing with delight.

After the bath we had a most excellent and thorough side-by-side massage. It was so calming to hear Dan's slow breathing and the occasional murmur of his massage therapist while I was being worked on. I enjoyed having us together in the room even more than I thought I would.

We had lunch on the waterfront: Salmon steak and asparagus for me and fish and chips for Dan. Then we spent an hour on the water cruising the bay. (datn.org/post/35167738). We had to practice tourist-dodging, but it was so so worth it. We saw the most lovely acrobatic sail surfing on the windy water. I couldn't believe the heroic leaps of the surfers- it simply has to be seen.

As I write, Dan's off to get some aloe vera gel for our sun-kissed faces and then we're having dinner at the Slow Club.

This day has been *exactly* what I needed. I've been feeling so stressed and tense, I can hardly say why. But I have spent all day laughing and smiling and canoodling with my sweetie and I feel like a million bucks! I love my dear darling Dan- he's the man of my dreams. Thank you, baby!