For the third year in a row, visitors, club members and overnight guests to Glenwood Hot Springs Resort were invited to submit love letters as part of our monthlong celebration of Valentine’s Day. We placed a valentine “mailbox” in our pool lobby, much like the decorated shoeboxes and paper sacks we all enjoyed as kids, and waited hopefully for visitors to drop in sweet valentines to the world’s largest hot springs pool. We also accepted love letters online via QR code.
Many of the 147 love letters submitted shared fond memories built with family and friends over the years, as well as the appreciation for the 15 minerals and soothing properties of the water. Thirteen lucky winners, that included the letters below, were announced on Feb. 20.
Love at the Deep End
“My guy and I were in the deep end training for a freediving trip. We are doing silly poses underwater while my son is taking a video of the shenanigans. Above water he tells me to swim over him for that “dirty dancing” pose. I follow behind and find him on one knee at the bottom, holding up what looks like a hair tie! Eww! I push it away. He gingerly shakes it closer to my eyes and I see it’s a ring! My parents just so happen to be there. They were swimming with us, taking turns with a pair of goggles. My dad witnessed the whole thing, giving my mom a play by play of the underwater event. She splashes over scrambling to get the goggles back and see for herself. I say yes!” - Aubree Schiesser, Snowmass, Colorado, GRAND PRIZE
Healing Waters
“Thank you for restoring my husband. On Nov. 2021, Gil had a near life-ending accident when he fell from the top of our camper onto pavement. After three weeks in Denver, where his 18 fractures, brain injury, heart, lung, kidneys etc. were stabilized, we returned to Glenwood. Our daughter bought us a pool pass as she was sure it would help heal him. She was right! As soon as he was able to get into the water, his healing and recovery took off! His doctors were astounded. Count on us to be long-term pool users.” – Jan and Gil Krische, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, SECOND PLACE
The Diving Board
“You’ve seen it before … a little one walks down the plank and stands at the end … shivering. They look around furtively … and from the deep end, their people call out, ‘You got this!’ ‘You can do it!’ ‘Come on sweetie, jump!!’ Eventually … ‘Honey, there are other kids waiting ... let’s go!’ But the turnaround happens, and they download the steps to the safety deck of the pool. Back in the healing waters they are given encouragement and tips. They watch the others a bit longer ... who jump, cannonball, flip and twist. Some of those others are cousins ... and that makes all the difference. Grandparents are patient and smiling from the inside out. Another try is offered and bravely they get out and wait in line. Up the steps … small, tentative footprints on the board … and a glance to the side to find their people. Breaths are held by all. Finally ... the splash! Cheers erupts from the whole crowd as our young swimmer nails it! Everyone takes a collective breath … these magic waters have done it again.” Terry Rubin, Aurora, Colorado, THIRD PLACE
The grand prize was an annual pool pass, while the second and third place winners received $50 resort gift cards. The authors of 10 more love letters won either a one-day pass or a $25 resort gift card. “We also had 15 kids that wrote in, and they will receive a free ice cream cone certificate, as the letters were too cute to not do something for them,” notes Resort Sales Manager Kimberly Marcum.
“Thank you to all the people who sent in so much love to Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. We read every story, laughed, cried and felt the joyful memories you made. We hope you make so many more here!” Marcum says.
A small business with big heart, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has been serving locals and visitors from across the United States and world since 1888.