Why I Love Social Media

Sometimes I get an out of the ordinary response to what I see as a fairly ordinary post.  Today was one of those days. 

When I opened my email, there was a lovely, albeit brief, email from a guest who had a wedding reception in the hotel in 1960!!  Here is the email, which was written to me in response to yesterday's post about our award from WeddingWire:

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I CONCUR: MY WEDDING RECEPTION WAS HELD ON 9.5/60 in the ballroom of

the hotel. LATE IN COMING; NEVERTHELESS, EVERYTHING WENT VERY WELL--
FOOD, MUSIC, CURTEOUS STAFF.
ALL GUESTS REMARKED IN THE POSITIVE. THANK YOU
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I wanted to be sure I understood it correctly, so I wrote back, as follows:
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Subject: Re: Hawthorne Hotel RESPONSE
Wow! Let me see if I am understanding this email correctly? You were
married here on September 5, 1960, 50-1/2 years ago? And you still
remember what a great job we did in providing a wonderful reception
spot for you?

I would love to put your testimonial on our website. It certainly
shows the longevity of our excellent service. Would you be willing to
assist us with that?

Kind regards,

Juli
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And I quickly received the following email in return:

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Yes, of couse; we were married at the church down the street on the
boulevard, and enjoyed a brief wedding breakfast and reception in the
ballroom. I still have and cherish the silver cake server given to us
as a gift. Thank you

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and this next one as well:
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In addition, I spent eight years at what use to be St. Mary's School on
the boulevard. On very cold, windy days and a long walk home ahead of
us., we use to cut through the hotel lobby to avoid the bitterly cold
wind--the staff was pleasant and never chastised us. During those
days, the hotel had revolving doors. Thank you, again.
Sincerely,
Jean
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and this:
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Hello, Julie: How may I help to promote the Hawthorne? Although we
had a wonderful start, unfortunately, the marriage endured only 10
years, however, the memories will last a lifetime

Jean

978/xxx-xxxx
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I just love how this all unfolded, and fully intend to connect with this lovely guest who so freely shared such great memories.  This kind of oral history is so important to collect, as any historian might tell you.  It is rare when a business manager (such as a hotel general manager) has the opportunity to make such a contact, and I am so grateful to social media for making these kinds of contacts possible.  I am not sure that they would have been so easily established any other way.

I hope you enjoy reading this little story that was part of our "daily diary" of life at the Hawthorne Hotel today, and I would encourage you to share your stories with us as well -- if you have a story that connects you to the historic Hawthorne Hotel, please do let us know.

Thank you, and I hope to see you here!

Juli