King Edward Hotel keeps 74-year-old love story alive

Let's start this story in 1950 when two young people, Dale & Gwen Maidens, got married in Simcoe. Their first honeymoon night, they stayed at The King Edward Hotel in Toronto Skip forward 50 years, where for their Golden Anniversary they wanted to re-enact this honeymoon – one night at The King Edward and then on to Ottawa. Gwen sent a letter to The King Edward Hotel before their anniversary, telling them about the honeymoon and what I wonderful time they had and that they were coming again. The King Edward responded by upgrading their room and having special extravagances in their room for them, an orchid and a bottle of champagne Skip forward another 24 years to May 2024, when 93-year-old widow Gwen was enjoying reliving her memories through photos and scrapbooks While reliving her memories of their wedding & anniversary Gwen decided to write a letter to The King Edward Hotel thanking them for the two special nights she and Dale had spent there. The King Edward Hotel staff answered her – saying that they were touched by her letter and as she cannot travel to them anymore, they would come to her

Dale & Gwen Maidens honeymooned in at The King Edward Hotel in Toronto in 1950. In what would have been the couple’s 74 year anniversary, a representative of the King Edward Hotel came to Gwen’s home to present her with a framed image of the hotel’s entry way. Gwen shared photos from her wedding.

A wonderful young man showed up at her door with a basketful of "goodies" from The King Edward Hotel - a robe and slippers, and some fare from their Afternoon Tea at the Victoria Cafe. He also carried a framed signed letter from the General Manager and a large, framed picture of the front entry of The King Edward signed by the staff of the hotel who had been touched by Gwen's letter and story. He also sat with Gwen looking at her wedding album and talking about her life The King Edward hotel took her beautiful memories and made them even more memorable.

-Beautiful story and photographs shared by Gwen’s daughter, Tina Lyon