Making new friends = best part of inn keepers' world

As you can imagine (or maybe you've never thought of it) the life we live as busy inn keepers is ever changing, challenging, interesting, exhausting but most of all rewarding. The constant revolving door of guests from places all over the map, creates extremely interesting morning breakfast table conversation.

Most of our guests check in, make themselves at home, enjoy the area, our hospitality and comfy beds, and Jim's excellent breakfasts and then check out with fond memories of time spent "up north". A brief, small connection having been made with us, the inn keepers, that is most likely soon forgotten as they return back home to their normal reality and daily routines.

However, every so often, we meet guests where there is an instant, spontaneous connection. Where it feels like we have known each other forever or in another time and place and it feels like the perfect "matching glass slipper" that was lost at the ball.

Recently we experienced such a connection with our new "very best friends" who traveled from California to attend a wedding. We started this connection through email way back in December. Through many exchanges back and forth I just knew this was going to be an interesting pair of guests. I was not disappointed.

I wanted to "sell" these world travelers and Californians on Michigan. It was after all their virgin visit to Michigan. I was a bit tentative as to whether they would "buy" into our small town "Mayberryish" area where it literally is like stepping back in a different time and place. I am the supreme marketer of our area as I weave the spell of our "little bit of paradise" to all new comers to the area. I don't want to promise too much, but then what's not to like about Leelanau...still there is always a bit of apprehension on my part.

July came closer and closer, and I waited in anticipation to finally put names and faces together. As we texted back and forth through landing at Traverse City airport and driving down M~22 and entering the little village of Suttons Bay, my excitement was palpable. I met them at the back door....instantly feeling like we had known each other for ever.

The few days that they were our guests made a stronger than normal connection. We spent time together chatting, enjoying cocktails in the afternoon and making plans to visit them soon in California. Sometimes it just feels like fate, karma , a bonding of kindred spirits where all the planets and stars are in alignment or something magical like that~~~~~

Apparently the connection was not one sided as I later received this email after they returned home~

"It’s always good to get home and a little interesting transitioning back to our own life. California has a lot of beautiful places to see and things to do but Suttons Bay and Traverse City area are magical. The whole area is really charming. I kind of understand why we were so taken by the area … we flew into that little airport drove 10 minutes and were on the Lake … we entered a stunning little world and never left for 6 days!

We had fun on Sunday … we got up and rented a jet ski. We took it out the point on Mission Peninsula, cut across and came down the other side. It was fun to see everything from the water. Then we went to the car show. Kathy’s dad hooked up with Ray so I checked out and sat at the Shed on top of the Blue Tractor and sipping a cocktail and watched the Blue Angels. We went to PoppyCock’s for dinner and watched the firework show. A wonderful ending to a great holiday!

Getting up this morning at 4am was not fun. We walked outside and noticed the ground was wet. Ray and I looked at each other and said … maybe it rained every day and we just didn’t know it. I asked an airport security guy and he laughed at me. We knew you were going to have a hot humid couple of days. The trip home was long but easy – we slept!

We had a wonderful trip with much thanks to you and Jim. Korner Kottage is a jewel of Michigan and your hospitality and friendship made the trip all that much better!
Life is good … we came for a wedding, found a vacation spot we love and new friends. Lucky us – all of us – to spend time together and get to know each other. We are very excited that you are planning to visit us in California. I am looking forward to being your host and showing you are our home."

This is the best of the best of being inn keepers.....we value these moments when real friendship just happens in a few short days. The conversations were real, the memories will be cherished and the bond will endure.

We are planning our trip to Sonoma, San Franciso and Tahoe as we speak. We can't wait for them to show off their charming area and "sell" us on California.