I love my wife as much as I did the day I first saw her
Joy as Joe and Robina celebrate 50 years of marriage
When 14-year-old Joe Hinde first set eyes on the love of his life as they both stood in the queue at a Castlemilk chip shop, he vowed, to the amusement of his pals, to one day marry her.
And on Saturday, September 4, Joe and his wife Robina will gather with family and friends to celebrate the day they tied the knot, 50 years ago.
St Margaret Mary’s pupil Joe was smitten when he first saw “stunning” 15-year-old Robina as they waited in line outside Machrie chip shop.
“I fell in love with her at first sight,” said Joe. “I said: ‘I’m going to marry her.’ My friends were all killing themselves laughing.”
The teenage couple began dating and, on September 4, 1971, best man Harry Sinclair and bridesmaid Irene Wood joined them at St Bartholomew’s Church, where 17-year-old Joe and 18-year-old Robina said ‘I do.’
The new Mr and Mrs Hinde had their reception at Langside Halls, Shawlands, before returning to Joe’s mum’s house where the young couple were to live.
Insisting that the newlyweds should spend their wedding night alone, Joe’s brother threw him the keys to the home in Preston Street, Govanhill, he shared with his wife, Rina – and that’s where the bride and groom spent their two-night honeymoon.
In 1972, painter and decorator Joe and machinist Robina – who set up home in Ardencraig Road – welcomed their first child, Jason.
Sadly, they lost their baby daughter, Michelle, in a cot death tragedy at the age of eight months.
Their second son, Paul, was born in 1977.
While Robina worked as a home carer in Spittal during her 25 years with South Lanarkshire Council, Joe embarked on a career working with young people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
He was a senior youth worker at Trinity and Stonelaw High Schools, and also worked with a number of community education projects in the area before moving to Glasgow City Council’s Social Work department as part of the health and disability team within the children’s unit.
In 1981, after his mum had been diagnosed with cancer, Joe and Robina moved in to care for her within her Toryglen Road home in Burnhill.
Twenty years ago, they moved to Watson Avenue, Bankhead, where they still live today.
The couple are keen travellers whose favourite destinations include the Algarve, Tenerife and Greece.
They are happiest when spending time with their five grandchildren: Darrell and Brooklyn, both 18, Aiden, 14, two-year-old Joseph Jnr, and 15-month-old Chloe.
On September 4, 67-yearold Joe and Robina, 68, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at the Glencairn Club, surrounded by 170 relatives and friends.
Asked how they will be marking 50 years of marriage, Joe joked: “I think Robina will be getting a statue put up in Rutherglen and another one in George Square.”
But devoted family man Joe speaks with conviction when he talks of his love for his wife of 50 years.
“We were young kids when we got married. But we were quite a mature young couple and had our own house at 18,” he said.
“Yes, we have been through our good and our bad. If you love somebody, you stay with them.
“I can honestly say I love my wife the same way I did when I first saw her.”