GI beau makes up for absence
Soldier in Iraq gets help from spa in assuring a special anniversary
12:14 AM CST on Wednesday, December 29, 2004
By LINDA STEWART BALL / The Dallas Morning News

PLANO – Stacie Johnson got dolled up for her first wedding anniversary at a Plano salon Tuesday. The only problem was that her husband, Sgt. William Johnson, wasn't around to see it.

Her husband's in Iraq, but Stacie Johnson spent the couple's anniversary Tuesday getting pampered by beauty specialists, including Katrian Caillet at L'Image Plano Salon and Spa. Army Sgt. Johnson is deployed in Iraq. Knowing the stress his wife has endured as a result of their separation, he longed to treat his beloved to something special: "a complete day of relaxation and comfort; no kids, no dog, no noise."

He found L'Image Plano Salon & Spa on the Internet and fired off an e-mail asking for advice.

Unbeknownst to him, the owner of the spa, Lourdes McKnight, is a former military dependent who considered it her duty to help. After verifying that Sgt. Johnson was for real, Ms. McKnight arranged to give his wife the spa's best package – a $300 value – for free, "as our gift to her."

Lunch, an hourlong massage, hourlong facial, pedicure, makeup and hairstyling – the works.

"It was a nice surprise," Ms. Johnson, 23, said as she padded around the posh salon in the black flip-flops and plush white terry cloth robe provided by the spa. Although she hasn't had such royal treatment in the past, she acknowledged that it's something she could easily get accustomed to.

"It's been great," said Ms. Johnson, who is usually busy caring for the couple's young son and a large dog alone at Fort Sill, Okla., where they're based. She and her husband grew up in Garland, so their little one stayed with grandparents while Ms. Johnson savored the spa.

Sgt. Johnson said he is better able to do his job knowing his family is well taken care of.

"It is hard sometimes being so far away, and not being near my family, especially when special occasions like this come up," he wrote in a letter of thanks to Ms. McKnight. "It is kind and generous Americans like yourself that I fight for."


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