Susan And Gil Celebrate Their Third Anniversary At Madison Beach Hotel

Susan and Gil Gallant from Waterford traveled to Madison Monday night to celebrate their third wedding anniversary.

Three years ago Monday they stood before friends and family on the beach in front of the Madison Beach Hotel and vowed to honor and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. And then they had one heck of a party at the hotel to celebrate.

With Gil's arm around Susan's waist, they gazed up at the impressive new hotel that has replaced the old hotel that was torn down in Fall of 2009. Hotel management has told people in the neighborhood, where owner Ric Duques lives, that the hotel  should be ready early October.

Gil and Susan had guests come to Madison from England, Florida, and all over Connecticut. They all stayed at the old Madison Beach Hotel. Gil and Susan said they won't miss the old musty and run down hotel rooms.

Still "it was a great place to get married," said Susan. "People were hanging over the balconies watching us, sailing by in their sailboats watching us, cheering us on."

Susan, I think, hit upon one of the most charming aspects of getting married at the Madison Beach Hotel. Pictures are often taken on the beach, on the rocks in front of the hotel, or on the jetty next to the hotel. You have the brides and bridesmaids in their dresses, the grooms and their groomsmen in their tuxedos. And maybe they are all wearing flip flops.

While all this activity takes place, you have families hanging out on the beach in their bathing suits, people fishing, people on their boats, and sometimes the neighbors who live nearby the hotel sipping their evening cocktails and munching on hors d'oeuvres as they all check out the action. There is a drama to it, somewhat like being on a stage, one where the audience wishes you nothing but the best. It is at once a private party and a public gathering.

The construction process over the past years has been something of the same. Go down to the hotel just about any time day or night, and you will find people stopping, watching, pointing, and expressing an opinion. Some people miss the old hotel. Some can't wait for the new one to open. Many, like Susan and Gil, miss the old hotel and can't wait for the new one to open.

"Yup, three years ago today," said Gil. "We miss the old place but we've come back every year, even when it's been closed, and we plan to come back every year and have dinner here when it's open."

Gil said he thought the new place, all lit up at night, looked something like a grand cruise ship. He pointed up to the third floor. "See that, the very last one, that was our room," he said.

Then he and Susan, holding hands, walked down to the beach.