Local Couple’s Romantic Annual Ritual Has Drawn Long-Term Interest

Writer / Fredda Kovacs
Photography Provided

When Robin Boggs painted a little message of love at the base of the Fairview Road train trestle, he had no idea it would also leave an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of so many others. That spontaneous message – and the Boggs’ love story – has endured and enchanted for over 50 years.

“It was 1972,” says Robin. “My best friend, Keith, and I had just painted a couple of rooms of my family’s new house in Carefree North. We were getting ready to rinse out the brushes when inspiration struck. I walked to the trestle and painted ‘Robin + Debbie’. I was simply a teenager in love.”   

Robin Boggs and Debbie (Morgan) Boggs grew up in Perry Township.

“We went to church together from the time we were 9 years old,” says Robin. “She ‘liked’ me in fourth grade and in seventh grade, but I thought she was a little dorky. By the eighth grade, though, I took notice. I thought she was cute, but by then she thought I was kind of a jerk.”

But, as fate would have it, at some point that year he won her over. Their first kiss was shared under the bleachers in the gym at Perry Central Junior High School.

Their budding romance continued all through high school, even as Robin transferred to Center Grove High School in 1972 for his junior and senior years. Like most high school couples, they occasionally took a break and dated someone else, but, says Debbie, “We always came back to each other.”

Both graduated in 1974, Debbie from Southport High School and Robin from Center Grove High School. College sent them in different directions. Debbie attended Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) to study nursing, while Robin studied industrial management at Hanover College for two semesters.

“I just couldn’t stand being that far from her,” says Robin. “I transferred to Indiana Central and we got married in December of 1975, our sophomore year. We were 19 years old.”

“19 – it sounds so young now,” says Debbie.

The Boggs were blessed with a daughter, Stephanie, in 1978, and a son, Ryan, in 1982. In between these years, inspiration struck again and Robin added the number 5 next to their names on the trestle in honor of their fifth anniversary. He did it again with the number 10 as they celebrated their first decade as husband and wife.

There was never a master plan to any of this, let alone a plan to update the number of years on a consistent basis, but as the years ticked by and their children grew older, Stephanie pointed out that perhaps it was time. Robin and Debbie both laugh as they relay her pleading, “Dad, you have to change the number! I’m 13 years old but the number on the bridge says you’ve been married for only 10 years!”

The anniversary number has been consistently updated ever since.

“I used to change the number every year on our actual anniversary, but it gets cold out there in December,” says Robin. “Now I do it around Thanksgiving. People will drive by and yell, ‘Good job, buddy,’ and offer compliments. One time I was out there and a long-haired fellow pulled up and said, ‘Hey dude, did you make it another year?’  I nodded my head and he said, ‘Awesome man!’”

On another occasion, they were pleasantly surprised to find a greeting card on the trestle addressed to “The Bridge People.” It was from a young girl, 11 or 12 years old at the time. She wrote that she was thrilled they found true love and hoped that she, too, would be so fortunate someday.

“We kept that card forever,” says Debbie. “It was so sweet.”

The Boggs are now the proud grandparents of four. Debbie is a registered nurse and works on an as-needed basis at Franciscan Health. Robin is retired, though he works part time at Mallow Run Winery. They enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.

The Bridge People, as they are affectionally known, are surprised by the community’s overwhelming interest in learning the story behind “Robin + Debbie.” They were somewhat hesitant to share their story, as it was just an innocent declaration all those years ago – a simple gesture from a teenager inspired by love. But a recent post in the Center Grove Chatter Facebook group proved that “Robin + Debbie” is deeply woven into the fabric of many local lives.

To Robin and Debbie Boggs, the Bridge People: We’re excited to see the number change every year. We root for you. You give us hope and provide inspiration.

Congratulations and happy anniversary!