Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991 TAG: 9103140390
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LEANNE McGRUDER/ LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium
So when Matthews, an intensive-care nurse, returned to Hampton Roads, her husband made sure she "felt like a girl" again. He surprised her with more than five hours of pampering at Bubbles Family Styling Center in Chesapeake.
"I've always been a tomboy, but I think I've finally had my fill of it," said Matthews, 34, who worked at Portsmouth Naval Hospital before serving in Saudi Arabia. "I was tired of washing my face and seeing nothing but black soot from the burning Kuwaiti oil fields on my tissue.
"I was tired of community showers with push-button shower heads that only gave you enough water for a few seconds. For the entire time I was stationed there, I never felt clean. All I could think about was getting my nails polished, my hair styled and body massaged."
Matthews flew into Norfolk Naval Air Station and returned to her husband and West Norfolk town house Saturday.
"When I first got back, I kept asking my husband, `Do I look normal?' and, `Do I look like I've spent seven months in the desert?' " she said.
For a mere $200, Mark Matthews was determined to quiet any of her doubts.
He arranged for a white stretch limousine to pick his wife up at their door, greet her with champagne and roses and whisk her off to Bubbles, where she got the works: hairstyling, facial, color analysis, pedicure, waxing, full body massage, a full set of nails and a light lunch.
"I can't believe this is happening," said Audrey Matthews, entering the salon, which was draped with yellow ribbons and balloons. "Mark said to be ready at noon, but I had no idea what for or where we were going. I'm totally flabbergasted."
Audrey Matthews soon would be completely relaxed.
Draped with a soft pink smock and sipping Roget champagne, Matthews headed for the massage table. After an hour-long full body rubdown, Matthews was ready for a facial, complete with a green mud mask.
Matthews' biggest decision that day was what color nail polish to wear and how short to have her hair cut - quite a switch from dealing with war wounds and missile attacks in Saudi Arabia.
"I don't know if I can speak for all husbands or not, but having Audrey in the Middle East has been the hardest and longest thing I've ever been through," Mark Matthews said. "I honestly felt like I lost my right arm.
"Surprising Audrey with all of this is worth every penny. Sure, I get the bill, but I also get my best friend back and I can finally get off the emotional roller coaster that I've been on since she left in August."
After Audrey Matthews was massaged, polished, cut and styled, her husband made sure she had somewhere special to go. He arranged for the limo driver to take them to dinner at a Portsmouth restaurant.
For Audrey Matthews, however, just having the sand out her hair, the grit out of her skin and being reunited with her husband was pleasure enough.
"The worst part of being there were the nights," she said. "Going back to bed after the air-raid sirens had gone off was terrifying. Unless you have a vivid imagination, there's no way to describe it.
"This is all wonderful, but just not being alone and afraid at night is welcome home enough."
by CNB