How many times have you gotten home from work or a workout and thought how great it would be to soak in a nice hot bath and relax? That thought crossed my my thousands of times over my adult life.
Unless you have an oversized whirlpool tub in your bathroom you need a hot tub.
Over time friends and family members began getting hot tubs and and inviting my wife and I to soak.
I can tell you I was hooked.
It was everything I imagined.
But it took a few more years before my wife finally mentioned she'd like to get one after we finally built our deck.
The timing seemed right and I started doing my due diligence and researching the subject (as men are prone to do before buying).
The internet is a wonderful tool.
As with most things there are a lot more choices than you initially think.
Sizes of these things range from two person spas to fifteen or more.
We were looking for a 7 or 8 person hot tub.
We found one locally for a very decent price and they delivered it and placed it exactly where I wanted it.
I even got them to throw in the multicolor LED light package.
It never hurts to ask if you want something to sweeten any deal.
The worst they can do is say no.
I ran the specific electrical and had it hooked up in an afternoon.
We've been enjoying it ever since.
It's funny, I figured that when we used the hot tub that we would only spend twenty minutes to a half hour in it at a time.
It turns out our average time ends up being over an hour.
Whoever ends up in the tub (my wife and me or one or more of our kids) winds up talking and having a great time and time flies by.
It's been a wonderful way for my wife and I or our kids to relax and talk about so many things.
It has brought us and our kids closer together.
There's something about that warm water that gets everyone relaxed and we have the best conversations.
Of course, the relaxation part is huge.
Soaking in that water and getting the massage from the jets on a sore back, leg, arm or feet really makes you feel better.
We live in a northern climate and chose a hot tub that was built with that in mind, more insulation to retain heat.
We really prefer to use the tub in cool or cold weather.
From Fall through to early Spring we use it quite a bit, not so much during the summer.
There isn't much better that getting up early on a crisp Saturday morning, brewing a nice hot cup of coffee or tea and going out into the hot tub to start the day and spend some focused time with the ones you love.
No doubt about it, getting a hot tub is one of the best purchases I've ever made.
7 person hot tub: $4000, additional cost to electric bill: $30/month, monthly chemicals/maintenance: $30, improving quality of life and relationships: priceless.