Ieva had been quieter than usual for a few days. She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t upset. She simply… was. She did everything as always — work, groceries, kids, dinner. But somewhere in it all, she was missing. It was like someone had switched her into “function mode.”
Albert noticed. He didn’t say anything — didn’t want to blurt out “What’s wrong?” or “Was it something I did?” He knew: Ieva needed a place where no words were necessary. A place where she could just be. And for him, there was only one place where that happened naturally — the sauna.
That same afternoon, he made a quick list and ordered the missing items from www.istaspirtslietas.lv. He still had birch whisks, but the lavender oil had run out, and on instinct, he added a pack of “Happiness in Love” tea. He knew: in the sauna, it’s not just the heat that matters — it’s what you bring with you inside.
On Saturday, he didn’t ask questions. He simply lit the fire and let the crackling of the wood say everything that didn’t need words. When evening came, he quietly said:
— The whisks are soaked. The lavender is ready too. If you’d like — let’s go.
Ieva paused. Then nodded.
They sat in silence in the sauna. Not because there was nothing to say, but because everything important was already happening. The touch of the whisk on her back was softer than usual, and the lavender scent wrapped around the room like a childhood memory.
Ieva breathed slowly. Not deep breaths — just enough to feel that something inside her was starting to move. Somewhere behind her ribs, there was a heaviness she couldn’t name. And here, in the warmth and stillness, with the soft rustling of birch, it began to loosen.
Later, wrapped in towels and sitting outside, Ieva quietly said:
— You knew.
— Knew what? — Albert smiled.
— That I needed this. Not the heat. Not the whisks. But… myself. Back again.
Albert didn’t say a word. He simply handed her a cup of warm tea. It smelled like peace and happiness.
And then she added:
— The sauna cleanses not only the body. It cleanses the soul.
And that was all that needed to be said.