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PrintIhloff Spa Day for Mom
Last month, TulsaKids partnered with Marilyn Ihloff Salon & Day Spa to treat a mom to a full day spa experience. Jamie Lynn Brem was our winner, but she gave the spa treatment at a gift to her mother, Debra Van Dyke. Deb was treated to the Absolute Peace Spa Massage, which included: A Full Body Massage, Elemental Nature Facial, Revitalize Eye Treatment, Elemental Nature Hand Treatment (25 minutes), Elemental Nature Foot Treatment (50 minutes), soothing scalp massage, shampoo, haircut and finish with a salon designer. It also included a healthy spa lunch and complimentary makeup application.
We asked Deb and Jamie some questions about being mothers and the spa experience.
TK: Have you and your daughter always been close?
Deb: I had my first child, and then had an ectopic pregnancy. The doctors had said it would be very unlikely that I would ever get pregnant. I left the hospital very depressed and refused to believe the doctors. In three months, I was pregnant again and the doctors were amazed. Jamie Lynn was my miracle baby! With all of that said, I have always been very close to her because I KNOW that she was sent by God.
TK: What advice do you give your daughter about being a mom with small children?
Deb: I believe the main advice I have given Jamie in regard to small children is to follow through on what you say or do. I totally believe a child that is taught to respect his/her parents will respect parents, teachers and others of authority. Basically, boundaries will make “happier” children.
TK: Now that you’re both mothers, do you spend Mother’s Day together or celebrate separately?
Deb: We actually do both. We make a day to celebrate Mother’s Day together, and then the girls celebrate with their husbands and children individually.
TK: Describe your spa day experience?
Deb: OH MY GOODNESS! My spa day reminded me of what Heaven must be like! I enjoyed it from the minute I got there to the last minute I said my good bye to my favorite new friend, Athena.
TK: What was your favorite treatment?
Deb: My favorite treatment was the full body massage. I had just moved from Skiatook to Tulsa, and my muscles were so sore from carrying heavy boxes from the move. This was a perfect gift for me!
TK: How do you like your new haircut?
Deb: I love, love, love my short hair! Jamie had mildly suggested I get my hair cut short, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do this. Finally, I gave in and I really love it. I have had more people comment on the cut and they like it as well.
TK: Did you learn any tips you’d like to share?
Deb: Athena was great and taught me how to highlight my eyes by using the correct color of shadow and a little bit of eyeliner underneath. She was a joy to be with and made me feel like a queen.
TK: Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Deb: I thank Tulsa Kids Magazine and Ihloff for this wonderful day of beauty treatments! But most of all, I thank God for my daughter Jamie, who actually won this contest and gave it to me. I already know what I want for Christmas next year!
FROM JAMIE (DAUGHTER)
TK: What are some of your favorite memories you have with your mother?
Jamie: Some of my favorite memories with my mom are very special to me. There was a time growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money and my mom was a single mom raising two teenage daughters. We didn’t have extra money to spend to go to the movies or to do the normal fun things. My mom was working very hard just to make ends meet and at times we didn’t have food. We were so blessed by our church family who often wouldn’t know our situation but God did, and they would give us groceries and special things like Oreos that we couldn’t afford to get. What we would do for fun was rent a dollar movie and Mom let us each pick out a box of Little Debbies. We would go home and watch our movie together and eat our chocolate. Also a lot of times my sister, Mom and I just enjoyed spending time together. Our highlight would be grabbing a nice, cold coke on ice and hanging out laughing and just sharing with each other. We have done some pretty extravagant things together as well, but the simple things seem to have such a special place in my heart for sure. People might think we missed out because the finances weren’t available to us at times, but I would rather have that precious, heartwarming time with my mom than anything else.
TK: How did your mom shape the mother you are today?
Jamie: First and foremost, she has taught me how much my Heavenly Daddy loves me, and the importance of receiving His love so I can give it out to my family, and the precious people around me. She has taught me about faith, love, respect, self-respect, good work ethic, not to take people for granted, and the importance of spending time together with the ones I love. I have an 18-month-old daughter. My mom also taught me that our children grow up so fast, and the importance of spending time with them, because once that time is gone, I can’t get it back. So, sometimes housework, laundry and all those motherly duties, I can put on hold to have some extra one on one time with my girl. I think as moms we can be so hard on ourselves. My mom has taught me to give grace to myself, that motherhood is a continual journey and not one of perfection.
