This isn’t a
typical love story. Yes, it is about the love that two people share with each
other, but it goes far beyond that. It’s about the steadfast commitment and
love shared between a couple and “their” hotel.
“French
Lick is our place. Oh yes, other people are there when we are, but, to us, it
is our place.”
Let’s
start at the beginning. The date is February 14, 1979. A newly married bride
and groom, evidenced by the white gown, tuxedo and post-wedding glow they’re
wearing, walk hand-in-hand through French Lick Springs Hotel. They make their
way to the bowling alley and decide to play a game of pool. Just imagine, in a
room behind the bowling alley bar, a man and a woman dressed to the nines
drinking champagne, laughing over a friendly game of pool and dreaming of
possibilities of things to come. That’s when the love affair with French Lick
was born.
That
bride and groom are David and Becky Ramer. They chose to honeymoon at French
Lick Springs Hotel because they wanted an escape that wasn’t too far away from
their southern Indiana home. They ended their three-day getaway with a vow that
they would return every year on Valentine’s Day to celebrate their anniversary.
35
years later, that vow hasn’t been broken once – not even the year the hotel was
closed for renovations.
“We
thought about bringing sleeping bags and just camping out on the front lawn for
Valentine’s Day and night, but February weather did not make that thought too
appealing,” said Becky.
Instead,
they paid an obligatory visit to the hotel and invited some of their hotel
staff friends out to dinner to repay them for their service over the years.
The
staff is one of the reasons why the Ramers continue to come back to French Lick
Springs Hotel. The years pass, but the names, faces and relationships are never
forgotten.
They
recall one February when a heavy snow blanketed French Lick and their car got
stuck. Roman Mayrina, a food and beverage manager, came out coatless in his
uniform and dress shoes with a shovel in hand to dig them out. Whether it was
outstanding and thoughtful service by Woodrow David and Carissa Miller, history
lessons and long conversations in the bowling alley bar with Marilyn Kessler or
sharing annual holiday cards with Robert Stiger and Sam Townsley, the
relationships that have developed over the years are truly special.
“I
have 20 years of service and memories with them. We have guests that come every
year around the same time, and I begin looking forward to the Ramer’s February
visit when January rolls around,” said Carissa Miller. “It brings a smile to my
face just thinking about them.”
Of
course, the Ramers get asked why they don’t visit other places for their
anniversary.
“The
simple answer we have is that French Lick is where we’re supposed to be and
want to be on Valentine’s Day,” said David. “It’s important to us because it
has been the anchor of our marriage. The annual pilgrimage to a romantic,
elegant place of renewal of love and relationship is what is important.”
Over
the years, there have been Valentine’s Day dinners at 1875: The Steakhouse,
mornings spent in the lobby reading the paper and people watching, and jewelry
presented at dinner. They have visited on years when there were less than 20
guests in the hotel and years when business was booming.
Although
the time has passed, the Ramer’s commitment to those vows they took 35 years
ago has been unwavering. “When our time on this earth is done, we sure hope
there’s a place for us in Heaven like French Lick,” said the Ramers.