Saturday night, Craig and I hired a sitter and went down to the Terrace Room where the Grand Hotel Orchestra was playing Big Band and soft pop tunes.

It had been some time since Craig and I had spun around the dance floor like that. Years, maybe. Our swing was a bit creaky, the waltz a bit wobbly … I hadn’t thought to bring my leather soles, and my slide-in sandals were about three inches taller than I usually wear.

Even so, it was wonderful. Sipping wine, listening to the sultry vocals, and watching couples hold tight to each other — it was a wonderful night of romance. In my mind’s eye, years and pounds rolled off us as we swayed to the music.

Upstairs, reality awaited. Each of us had a child in our bed, unwilling to sleep until we had returned. And to be honest, neither of us could keep our eyes open much past ten. But ah, for that hour … it was magic.

The thing I loved most about Mackinac, that isle of enchanted memories captured so well in the classic Somewhere in Time, was its ability to slow time almost to a standstill. And then, just when I least expected it … to rewind.

I’ve been back a few days now, and that lesson has stayed with me. Surely it doesn’t take the hundreds and hundreds of dollars it costs to stay at the Grand to achieve this kind of contentment. Just a little time, a little peace — and a whole lot less technology.

I think I’m going to turn off my computer now, and see if hubby’s up for a bit of slow dancing in the kitchen!