Meet the 'Hinders'! Celebrating their 65th Wedding anniversary in Niagara Falls

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We had a wonderful couple stay with us at the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel the past couple of days. Harold and Virginia Hinder from Columbus, Ohio, just celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary in Niagara Falls, the very spot where they honeymooned years earlier. While the land has drastically changed, the Falls remained timeless…just like their love for one another.

Their whole family was on hand to mark this special occasion, along with the Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati, the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill owner, Philip Oakes, Reporter Tony Ricciuto from the Niagara Falls Review, and myself.

I wanted to make sure that I was there for their arrival at the hotel, so I headed down to the lobby to greet the Hinders and their family. I had an opportunity to speak to the two of them before the Mayor arrived (which they had no idea was about to happen). Their actual wedding anniversary date was on April 17th, but this was the only opportunity they had to make the trip that included the whole family. Family is extremely important to them, which makes that common bond between the two of them a solid foundation for how their marriage has withstood all the up’s and down’s that it typically brings.

“If things don’t go right, you just have to work it out,” they told Tony Ricciuto, Niagara Falls Review.

Virginia told me that they managed to bring twelve of their family members along for the ride, and it wasn’t until the following morning that I met the last two grandchildren. They just received their passports that Monday morning so they weren’t able to arrive until later that evening.

One thing that stood out to me immediately was how friendly and welcoming the whole family was. When Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati arrived to greet the Hinders, he graciously welcomed them back to where it all began with a certificate, various gifts, and a gave Harold a pin right off his shirt when the 88-year old inquired about it. It was a touching experience to witness how such a kind gesture could impact a couple that stated “I could not have asked for anyone to treat us any better.”

After they took a few pictures around the fireplace with Jim Diodati, cameras were flinging around from all angles to take turns with the whole family, Jim Diodati, Philip Oakes and myself. Within minutes, you literally felt like part of the family and it was then that you realized that’s exactly how this lovely couple has kept their love alive for 65 years (and counting)!

Togetherness, family, and living life to the fullest, all while meeting new people and experiencing new and exciting challenges has not only strengthened their bond, but kept them young at heart.

*Pictured Above: Harold and Virginia Hinder with Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati*

*Pictured Above: The moment when Jim Diodati presented the Hinder’s with a certificate. Very touching moment!*

Congratulations to Harold and Virginia Hinder and it was a pleasure to have welcomed them to the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill and we hoped that they enjoyed their 65th Wedding Anniversary in Niagara Falls!

For more on their story click here for Tony Ricciuto’s article in the Niagara Falls Review.