By Patrick O’Connor
(Part of a work in progress titled “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up; The Charmed Life of a Boomer”)
Eric and Colleen Morgan were featured in the book “Meet Me at Ray’s” published in 2013. The book chronicled the 75 years Ray’s Place had been the “go-to” meeting spot in Kent, Ohio for locals and people associated with Kent State University to grab a bite to eat or a drink to share. I used 200 stories/memories from customers and employees as the basis for the book. Ray’s Place is celebrating 85 successful years in 2023.
The most common story I received related to people meeting someone special at Ray’s Place. Often, these meetings were random. As a result, I decided to select a story related to a random meeting to open the book. Eric and Colleen’s random meeting captured so much of the affection customers have about Ray’s. Plus, it happened during the Christmas season when Ray’s is all decked out for the holidays. I notified the couple that their memory was selected to appear in the book.
They had told all their friends and family they were being featured in a book about Ray’s Place. After buying a copy, they searched for their story, expecting to see it in the section titled “Ray’s and Romance.” Somewhat disappointed when they didn’t see it, they went back to the beginning of the book. After a few minutes reading, Colleen told Eric, “Here it is. It’s the opening story.” They were thrilled and to see their first meeting in print made the event even more special. Each year they return to Ray’s on December 9 to relive their first meeting. Here’s the story:
“It was December 9th, 1991, when I opened that wooden door, and it was as if time stood still. It seemed like the voices and music stopped as my eyes connected with a guy across the bar. Several hours later I realized he was next to me at the bar. The rest is history. I don’t remember how the conversation started but I knew this was the love of my life. He proposed the following May, and we were married in December of 1992. Every year on December 9th we return to Ray’s and sit on “our” bar stools (second and third from the door). Each time I open that wooden door and see those Christmas bulbs hanging from the ceiling it seems like time stands still again. Thank you, Ray’s—see you in December.” (Morgan, ’90).
Some time later, my friend Bob and I attended a KSU basketball game and went to Ray’s afterward for a beverage. As usual, it was very festive with all the Christmas decorations. Our conversation wound round and round for some time. I was thinking about early December and the couple who had met at Ray’s and return each year to celebrate their chance meeting which led to marriage. I asked Bob what the date was. Bob said December 9. I told Bob about the Morgans and their story to kick off the Ray’s book. I said, “Since it’s December 9, they will be coming here tonight.”
At this point, Bob excused himself for a men’s room break. I stood up to stretch a bit, looked at the door and saw a guy who had just entered. It quickly registered to me that Eric or someone who closely resembled him had just walked in. I marched over to the door to see if it really was Colleen and Eric. They made eye contact and wow, it is them! We hadn’t seen each other in a few years so it took a moment to give it the “it is you” greeting. A grand reunion celebration ensued, and everyone was thrilled at this unexpected happy moment.
About this time, Bob returned from the men’s room. I saw him coming and couldn’t believe what I was about to tell him. I said, “Hey, look who’s here… The people I was just telling you about. The Morgans are here again.” “What? No way!” Bob said. He stood in disbelief and was totally stunned with a capital S.
I introduced Bob to Colleen and Eric and told them, “I just told him a minute ago that you guys would be coming in at some point since it’s December 9, and here you are.” Everyone laughed at the randomness of the events. It was a bit ironic, considering another random moment followed the original random meeting.
We all sat together for some chatter and abundant laughter. Bob kept repeating, “I can’t believe this.” For the next hour or so, the Morgans were the evening celebrities of Ray’s Place. Customers and workers alike celebrated with them on their 33rd anniversary visit to Ray’s. They will be there again next year on December 9, so pop in and celebrate with them if you wish.
Epilogue
Thoughts from Eric and Colleen – We love the article and recap of that evening. You captured the flavor and more importantly, the aspect of “coincidence” and fate that typifies our meeting 33 years ago along with our meeting last week.
Bob’s thoughts – Still hard for me to believe the timing of it all.
(Bob and his bride Lisa appear on the cover of “Meet Me at Rays.”)
Pat’s thoughts – I am continually amazed at the amazing things that happen at Ray’s Place.
Photos provided by Eric & Colleen Morgan
