91 Year-old Walks Daughter Down The Aisle At 50th Anniversary Ceremony

By Janet Cruz

Wedding anniversaries are a much-celebrated milestone in any relationship.

One local couple celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary which includes the bride’s 91-year-old father walking her down the aisle just like he did the first time 50 years ago.

“My dad was so excited to walk me down again but this time, at our anniversary and vow renewal ceremony,” Roxanne Hatzidakis said.

Hatzidakis moved from Massachusetts to California as a young child. In her teenage years, Hatzidakis first met her future husband Jim at a community pool in Riverside, Calif. It was love at first sight. They soon began dating and married in 1974 and later moved to Utah before moving to Lake Havasu City.

Wedding Photo Courtesy Roxanne Hatzidakis

“I was 19 and Jim was 21 when we got married, Hatzidakis said. And we have been together ever since.”

The Hatzidakis first marriage had the traditional big Greek wedding which included five priests, and more than a thousand guests with a traditional sit-down dinner. Their wedding was even covered by the local newspaper which highlighted the elegance of it all.

Jim and Roxanne Hatzidakis 1974. Photo Courtesy Roxanne Hatzidakis

Photo Courtesy Roxanne Hatzidakis

Over the years, the couple went on to have two children of their own and John Demopoulos, Hatzidakis’s father, has been around to see all the memories made over the years with the couple.

He has also lived through many presidents such as Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. Which makes it all so special since it is rare to have the opportunity to walk your daughter again at 91.

The Hatzidakis’ wedding anniversary included a Greek dance lesson, some fresh Baklava for dessert, and a traditional Greek buffet with an intimate gathering of close friends and family at their residence in Lake Havasu City, followed by a ceremony that included Demopoulos making that walk with his daughter once again.

Greek dancing was part of the Hatzidakis’s vow renewal Sunday afternoon. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“My Dad was excited about walking me down the aisle. He got tears in his eyes. I am very blessed to have him and my husband with me on that special day,” Hatzidakis said.

The Hatzidakis also have four grandchildren, and Demopoulos has been around to see his great grand kids grow up and be present for his daughter and son in law.

“My 50th wedding anniversary has been one of the most wonderful experiences that I have had in my life. To have my second wedding with my wife, and with my father-in-law who walked her down the aisle here like the first time we got married is great.

“I love my wife with all my heart. We have had a great marriage despite the normal ups and downs over the years it’s been great,” said Jim Hatzidakis.

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Roxanne Hatzidakis’s father, John Demopoulos, 91, walks her down the aisle during the vow renewal. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Roxanne and Jim Hatzidakis renew their vows Sunday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

50th vow renewal Lake Havasu City RiverScene Magazine

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Photo Courtesy Roxanne Hatzidakis with her family at a past family gathering.

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