Meet Mary and Kevin from Upstate New York

What began as a childhood summer tradition for a young boy from Harlem has blossomed into a legacy of love, adventure, and deep-rooted family values that stretch across generations, continents, and decades. Kevin, pictured in cherished photos from 1950 as a 7-year-old boy, poses alongside his brother Ronald in front of the west side of our Main Lodge. One photo features their mother, the other their father, capturing fleeting, timeless moments before modifications were made to the Main Lodge in later years. Kevin said, “Back then, there were no highways connecting New Yorkers to the natural wonders of the state—only winding country roads and the promise of unforgettable family memories.” Today, guests have the luxury of traveling down I-88, a highway not completed until 1989. For Kevin and his family, the journey has always been more than a road—it’s a passage through tradition, time, and togetherness. Kevin, born in Harlem and later raised in Queens, remembers those week-long summer trips vividly. They were sacred family rituals—an annual pilgrimage to New York’s natural marvels, always including a stop at Howe Caverns. That tradition would come to mean even more as the years unfolded. Mary, born and raised in Ireland, arrived in America in 1968. Just six months later, fate brought her to Kevin. “I only saw him about four times before we got married,” she says with a smile, recounting the whirlwind love story that unfolded while Kevin was stationed at Camp Lejeune, fresh from Vietnam. They married on December 13, 1969. This year, they celebrate 56 years of marriage—a testament to enduring love that has weathered time, distance, and change. They’ve renewed their vows three times throughout the years—each time a reaffirmation of their commitment, resilience, and love. “It’s the little things that aren’t so little,” Mary says. Her favorite thing about Kevin? His cooking. “If he dies tomorrow, I’ll have to find someone who can cook for me,” she jokes lovingly. For Kevin, it’s Mary’s light—her ability to lift his heart and keep his conscience in check. “She has a good moral compass,” he says. “She keeps me alive.” In 1988, they brought their own children to Howe Caverns for the first time. Mary vividly remembers the contrast between the summer heat—86 degrees outside—and the brisk 52-degree air of the cave. “We walked into the lodge in shorts and T-shirts and knew we were in trouble,” she laughed. “We had to stop in the gift shop and buy some Howe Caverns sweatshirts to keep us warm on our tour.” Now, their grandchildren continue the tradition. Each year, they return to Howe Caverns, walking in the footsteps of those who came before—guided by love, memory, and the quiet magic of shared experiences. The family still makes time to visit natural treasures across New York State, passing along the wonder and appreciation for nature’s beauty to the next generation. Love, as their story reminds us, is eternal. It shines through in the quiet moments—road trips, shared meals, laughter echoing through limestone corridors—and in the steadfast traditions that connect generations across time and space. Family traditions like these aren’t just vacation plans; they are living legacies. They are the heartbeats of family stories, the way love continues to echo long after words have faded. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “If there’s one thing we’ve learned in 56 years, it’s this: speaking is easy—listening takes love. And if you want to go the distance, you have to become a really good listener.” We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mary and Kevin for opening up their hearts and history, and for reminding us all that the most beautiful traditions are the ones built on love, shared year after year, through sunshine, cool cave breezes, and the warm glow of family.