Forever I Do 2014 Love Stories

YOUR NEWS, YOUR TIME, YOUR WAY

EIGHT-PAGE SPECIAL

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014.

2. SUNDAY SUN EXTRA

MARCH 30, 2014

DEBORAH AND JAMAL (RC)

THERE WAS NO RING, but for her engagement Deborah Ramdin was treated like a queen. It was Old Year’s Night last year and the make-up artist was out working on several jobs. The idea of marriage had always been tossed around; but while Deborah was always ready and willing, her fiancé Jamal Haynes was apprehensive.

“She eventually wore me down,” he said.

After being together for three years, the couple knew they wanted to get married; the problem was they couldn’t afford it.

Deborah was unemployed and to complicate matters further, they couldn’t find an affordable ring that would fit. Twelve is an unusual size and the custom-made option at the time was too costly. They eventually had to purchase a size nine ring and cut the back so it would fit. For her special day though, Deborah will get a custom-made ring. All that aside, Jamal wanted his proposal to be special . . . no

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MARCH 30, 2014

SUNDAY SUN EXTRA. 3

• From Page 2. clichés for him.

For proposal night, Jamal, a Food Network fan, prepared a sumptuous meal – antipasto salad, lasagna with Italian sausage, mincemeat, bacon, rum-soaked pineapples,and three cheeses – mozzarella, cheddar and ricota. Roasted garlic bread and potato salad completed the meal. They toasted the special occasion with a bottle of chilled Lamothe Parrot Mellow Reserve He even made a cheesecake, a first for Deborah since Jamal’s cheesecakes, which he sold at one time, used to be, and still are, in high demand but he had never made her one.

With all that, who needed a ring?

He popped the question after dinner and they had a long discussion afterwards. Deborah already had plans in mind, but had no problem refreshing them her with hubby-to-be.

After the proposal they went to Browne’s Beach as a family to watch the fireworks.

The relationship started on BlackBerry (BB) Messenger.

It so happened that Deborah’s cousin was buying a car and sought her assistance. She asked Deborah to contact the seller, Jamal, to make sure she was not buying the proverbial pig in a bag. Deborah and Jamal exchanged BB pin numbers and discussion on the car continued back and forth.

Confident her cousin was not being duped, the conversations eventually shifted gears.

When Deborah changed her profile picture, that was the clincher for Jamal. As a former Miss Big And Beautiful contestant, she decided to use an official pageant photo. Jamal promptly asked: “How can I

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4. SUNDAY SUN EXTRA

MARCH 30, 2014

• From Page 3. concentrate when you put up pictures like this?” They met a week later and spent the entire night talking.

Their union was not saved from challenges. When she was seven months pregnant with now eight-month-old Kai, Deborah was asked to leave home. This forced them to now live on their own and at the time Jamal was the only one working. The fact that Jamal had a child (eight-year-old Dominic) from a previous relationship did not make things any easier.

“Come see me and come live wid me are two different things,” they quipped almost in unison.

Jamal described himself as an introvert who was used to his space. Having to share that space with Deborah, a self-confessed “clinger”, was quite a challenge. While Jamal was an introvert, Deborah was quite the opposite in that she was very outspoken and outgoing. This called for compromise and thanks to the growing love they have for each other, they eventually struck a balance.

This active couple plays and works together. When Jamal is not on the job as a fire officer, the pair often combine skills

– she does make-up and he takes the photographs. Jamal urged Deborah to set up and expand her business by creating a portfolio and a Facebook page, and thanks to his connections, the business has grown from there.

The two also work together in a separate venture, she as managing director in a start-up company and Jamal as manager of one of the subsidiaries. With her degree in finance and accounting, Deborah takes care of the business plans and financial planning, while Jamal is involved with research and development.

The couple’s idea of a dream wedding is a traditional ceremony at Fustic House, St Lucy, surrounded by family and friends. Guests would be serenaded by piano and violin music. Finances, of course, will not permit this. The reception area would also be decorated in white, red and navy blue. These colours match those of Jamal’s Barbados Fire Service uniform which he will be wearing on that special day. Deborah will be wearing her dream dress, a custom-made designer lace number with red and diamond accents. They have set a date for November 5, but are quite

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willing to push it back until Jamal gets vacation.

Jamal and Deborah entered the Forever I Do Dream Wedding Competition because, as they put it, they had to deal with so many challenges for a while so why not?

“We just decided to try our luck . . . see if something goes our way for a change. Even entering was a challenge because the email kept bouncing back,” said Deborah. Thinking the deadline had passed, they decided to call THE NATION and were told what to do. Needless to say, when they learned they were finalists, Deborah screamed for joy.

For Deborah and Jamal, they hope that their story will be an inspiration to other couples facing obstacles, that instead of giving up they will keep on fighting for love and family.

MARCH 30, 2014

SUNDAY SUN EXTRA. 5

6. SUNDAY SUN EXTRA VANESSA BRANCH AND DAMIEN CHASSANG knew they were the one for each other on Saturday, May 28, 2005.

It was on that day that Damien reluctantly accepted a persistent friend’s invitation to attend the Springer Memorial School Fair. Just out of a relationship, he was not really in the mood to socialise but went along anyway.

He kept mostly to himself – not dancing, not mingling. His friend however went inside to dance and left him outside alone. The fair finished around 6p.m. Shortly after his friend returned accompanied by a girl.

“You know I just came out of a relationship and you show up with a girl?” Damien asked.

“And then she followed,” he continued. “She was beautiful, so beautiful. She was wearing a black vest top, blue denim skirt, her hair in one and carrying a blue jeans jacket. And she smiled at me.

MARCH 30, 2014

“My friend didn’t even know her. She was his friend’s friend, but he introduced us anyway. I could remember it like it was yesterday.”

The fair was well attended, so transportation was a challenge. When the minibus came, his friend and the girl “squeezed in”, leaving Damien and Vanessa to fend for themselves. Even though they knew nothing about each other, they decided to walk to The City together. What little conversation they had revolved around Vanessa ribbing him about living in St Lucy and telling him he needed a plane to get home.

FROM THE DAY that Damien Chassang saw Vanessa Branch, he knew that she was the one with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. (RC)

Damien’s friend eventually came to his senses and had the minibus return for them.

Bridgetown was like a ghost town when they reached. Concerned, Damien asked Vanessa how she • Continued on next page.

MARCH 30, 2014

SUNDAY SUN EXTRA. 7

DAMIEN AND VANESSA have stood by each other through the tests of time. (RC)

• From Page 6. was getting home; she said by minibus, so he decided to wait with her. It wasn’t until she was about to board the minibus that he asked for her phone number.

“I was so nervous,” he said. “You could’ve started a butterfly farm in my stomach!

Caught pen and paperless, Damien remembered her number all the way to St Lucy. Once home, he called to ensure that she arrived home safely – at least that was what he told Vanessa – what he really wanted to see was if he had the correct number.

After that initial meeting, they talked on the phone constantly. They were still very young; he was 17 and she was 15. They didn’t become a couple officially until Vanessa finished school. They attended picnics, went to the beach, movies – anything to spend time together.

Life, however, took an unexpected turn for these two young lovers. At 18, Damien

applied to the Regional Police Training Centre (RPTC), mostly due to Vanessa’s encouragement and was accepted. He was later diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms and had to drop out of training school.

All the while, Vanessa stood by him.

After he recovered, Vanessa encouraged him to try for the RPTC again, and again he was accepted. Meanwhile, Vanessa enrolled at the Barbados Community College to pursue an Associate Degree in agriculture. It was during this time that she realised Damien was someone she could count on.

Their love grew stronger and Vanessa became a young mum.

Being a mother at 19 was not easy, she said, but daddy-to-be Damien really stood up to his responsibilities. For one, he made sure she never gave up on her studies. And after Davesha was born, he would take Vanessa to and from school to collect her notes.

“It was that kind support – and the support of my family – that ensured my

graduation,” she said Damien missed Davesha’s birth but witnessed Davannah’s, their second daughter.

“It was mind-boggling and enjoyable,” he said.

“To you!” Vanessa responded.

The couple’s love was tested when Damien underwent two eye surgeries. At one point, he lost his vision and had to depend solely on Vanessa. He admires the way she stood up to the challenge of caring for him during this ordeal.

“She never once complained,” he said.

Although they often discussed marriage, they never made any concrete decisions.

Therefore, the proposal took Vanessa completely by surprise: Valentine’s Day last year – Vanessa wanted to go out and wasn’t prepared to take no for an answer. Damien, however, insisted on staying in. Unknown to Vanessa, he had a plan. Vanessa left home for her 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift and still peeved about not

going out, she snapped a terse “I gone.”

Damien responded: “I love you too.” Vanessa still turned back and gave him a kiss.

With her gone, Damien put his plan in motion.

He set out to prepare her favourite meal, rice and stew. He also made a shepherd’s pie and baked chicken. The full works.

He decorated the room in pink and purple (her favourite colours), accented with candles and roses. Even though he knew she was angry, Damien still texted to reassure her of his love. Her only response was: “I vex with you ’cause I want to go out.”

Damien recalled that when Vanessa finally came home, she was smiling from ear to ear.

While eating, she kept asking the same question: “What is going on?”

Little did she know champagne and dessert were to follow.

Damien left the table, came back with

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8. SUNDAY SUN

• From Page 7. a cake and asked Vanessa to cut it since he was not good at it.

As Vanessa opened the box, “the tears fell from her eyes as the knife fell from her hands”.

“Will you marry me, Vanessa” was written on the heart-shaped cake, and stuck in the middle was an engagement ring.

Vanessa does not even recall saying yes, the answer was obvious given she left home that evening with her ring finger prominently displayed.

Vanessa and Damien are hopeful their story will be an inspiration to young and old. Their participation in the Forever I Do Dream Wedding Competition is how they chose to tell the world that young love truly exists.

To help them through the ups and downs that love brings, they live by the credo: Never go to sleep angry. Leave yesterday’s problems with yesterday.

For Vanessa, God is their foundation.

“I know we are two strong-headed individuals, but with God’s help, we are learning to compromise, understand and respect each other.”

For Damien, two have become united as one. His wish is to hold Vanessa’s hand before God, family and friends and make vows of grace, faith and respectfulness to a deserving Vanessa during the wedding of her dreams.

The couple’s idea of a dream wedding is 100 to 150 of their friends and family in a garden setting with lots of pictures to remember that special day.

ONE HAPPY FAMILY: Damien and Vanessa with their daughters Davesha and baby Davannah. (RC)

MARCH 30, 2014

YOUR NEWS, YOUR TIME, YOUR WAY

EIGHT-PAGE SPECIAL

SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014.

True Love Stories

2. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

APRIL 6, 2014

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing But you never said that you’d stay forever So if you must go Well, darlin’, I’ll set you free But I know in time That we’ll be together Oh, I won’t try To stop you now from leaving Cause in my heart I know (Chorus) Love will lead you back Someday I just know that Love will lead you back to my arms Where you belong . . .

THESE WORDS from Taylor Dayne’s song Love Will Lead You Back more than aptly describes the 20-year love affair between 24-year-old Krystal Headley and Kyle Hinds, 23.

Believe it or not, these two have been “in love” from primary school

KRYSTAL HEADLEY AND KYLE HINDS (RC)

days – perhaps earlier as their affair started from the time they were four years old.

Krystal recalled: “At that young age there was always something about Kyle that made me want to sit beside him.”

Kyle remembered: “We would

always fool around and play together.

I used to give Krystal a kiss on the cheek every evening after school.”

They both fondly recalled Krystal being jealous when Kyle spent too

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APRIL 6, 2014

SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 3 • From Page 2. much time with other little girls on the playground.

And it was easy for their “puppy love” to bloom; they lived in the same district, they spent time together outside of school and went to the same church.

But like most primary school friendships, the two went their separate ways when they entered different secondary schools but would still keep in contact with each other.

Over time the distance between them grew wider, but they were never too far away in each other’s thoughts – even when they got involved in separate

relationships.

Krystal reached a stage where she thought Kyle, whom she described as a nice, cool guy, was too quiet for her. She felt she needed a “gangster” – someone who would defend her if need be.

She did not get any support from her parents on this. Her father would ask: “What gangster you want? You hear how you sound?”

In turn, her mother would tell her: “Yuh better love who love you; you know Kyle like you too!”

Their relationship had its share of challenges. Though apart, Krystal realised that her feelings for Kyle had gotten stronger.

“He was always on my mind,” she said.

Kyle on the other hand got involved in a relationship which produced a now two-year-old Shamari.

Krystal recalled how difficult it was to see Kyle with the baby’s mum, knowing how she felt about him. Not wanting to break up the relationship, she said she would wait because she knew Kyle was the one for her.

After the birth of his son, Kyle’s relationship fell apart and they separated, paving the way for Kyle to return to his true love, Krystal.

When Kyle’s situation got

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4. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

APRIL 6, 2014

• From Page 3. overbearing, Krystal would have regular talks with her mum and her pastor, who helped her to remain focused on their love. She also has a good relationship with Shamari and admires the way Kyle manages to share his time equally between her and his son.

Gangster dream forgotten, Krystal has since realised that guys like Kyle are a rarity.

“He is someone I can count on.

“When I’m sick, Kyle does everything he can to get me back on my feet.”

Even during the interview he helped Krystal overcome her nervousness, drawing from his experiences of being a former Mr SJPP. He was comfortable being in the spotlight, and constantly reassured Krystal that she was a superstar and the Barbadian public would fall in love with her just as he had.

They have been together as a couple for almost two years, but it was two months ago that they decided to make it official. Krystal was at home cleaning up after her job as a hairstylist. Kyle had visited Krystal earlier in the day while she was working, but left and told her he was going home to come back.

After Krystal left her work area, she went to her bedroom and saw a card which had not been there before. Curious, she went to her brother’s room, he automatically asked her to leave.

“Wha wrong wid you? Go out

even if it is a small wedding.”

They hope that all young couples out there can use their love story to build and strengthen their relationships. And they are of the strong belief that God will help them overcome any hurdles they may encounter in life.

For their dream wedding, Krystal and Kyle envision a garden or beach setting. Turquoise, Kyle’s favourite colour, would be accented with grey.

A live band would provide entertainment, but Krystal is also hopeful that her man will sing for her on their special day.

Come what may, so long as they are married to each other and spending their life together with their children as a family, nothing else matters.

my bedroom,” said the typical brother.

Krystal returned to her room and eased towards the card. She saw the words “To Krystal from Kyle” and a little pink box with a bow on top.

“I opened it, closed it back, closed my eyes and reopened them. Then I headed straight for my mother.”

“You see Kyle went in my bedroom?” she asked.

Her mother said no, and that’s when Krystal opened the box and saw the ring.

Speechless, she texted “yes” five times in acceptance of his proposal.

All this time, a nervous Kyle was at work hoping she wouldn’t get a heart attack when she saw the ring.

Krystal cancelled all her plans for the evening and just spent a quiet evening at home “just smiling”.

Her excited mother though, on the other hand, told all her friends that Krystal and Kyle were getting married.

For them, entering the Forever I Do Dream Wedding Competition is not about the prizes. “Whether or not we win, we want the world to know we love each other,” they said. “We will get married,

6. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

APRIL 6, 2014 THE FIRST MEETING between David Scantlebury, 24, and Kerry-Ann Johnson, 22, was not a good one.

Late one evening, David decided to visit his friend who worked at a supermarket. She was on her break when he got there, so they decided to take a stroll and reminisce. It was while walking and talking that “something caught my attention,” David said. “I saw this girl; I don’t know what it was about her, but I just wanted to get to know her better.”

With a piqued curiosity, David questioned his friend about the girl. All she told him was: “That is my little friend Kerry-Ann.” By this time David was more determined than ever to meet her friend, so he asked for an introduction. His friend was skeptical, but that did not deter David.

At his urging, she finally consented. He waited in nervous excitement for the outcome; sadly, it was not what he expected. His friend told him Kerry-Ann was not in the least bit interested.

But David was still determined. He decided to approach her and introduce himself. Kerry-Ann ignored him, rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving him standing in the same spot.

He was still at the supermarket later that day when his friend asked him for a ride to a nearby gas station. She wanted to purchase a ticket for the upcoming Rihanna concert, and he agreed to take her. He saw his friend beckoning someone; much to his surprise, it was the same girl who had rejected him accompanied by yet another female.

David said to his friend: “No, no, no. Uh-Uh. Can’t happen. “This is the same girl who just rejected me getting in my car?” (All the while he was thinking now was his chance to get even). His friend admonished him and told him not to be like that.

After all, Kerry-Ann was still her friend.

He took them for the tickets and his friend and Kerry-Ann got out, leaving the other girl in

KERRY-ANN JOHNSON and JASON SCANTLEBURY got off to a rocky start but they are now looking to their future together.

(RC)

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APRIL 6, 2014

SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 7

• From Page 6. the car. They got to talking, and he realized that she was interested in him. But even though he had been rejected by Kerry-Ann, David still had a feeling that there was something there. He asked his friend to get KerryAnn’s telephone number and the other girl’s as well.

He did not want to embarrass girl No. 2, but he never had any intention of calling.

That night, a fussy David called Kerry-Ann as soon as he got home. It was then he realised that he had, according to him, “gotten over the wall, but the dog was there”.

Kerry-Ann was still not budging. For her, David was just not her type.

“I don’t have a type really, but I just was not interested,” explained Kerry-Ann. David did not give up though; he offered to pick her up from work and take her home. When she finally agreed, they talked and the rest is history.

Kerry-Ann said that over time, with numerous conversations and going on dates, she realised that she could really like this guy.

“A bond – a kind of glue – developed between us that is now hard to break,” she said.

David, a social sciences student at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, admitted that life had changed for him since he met Kerry-Ann. “I used to be a big dancehall fan.

“Now I’m literally dancing to a different tune, as I now prefer rhythm and blues and even some classic hits.”

The UWI track and field athlete can actually recite the Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville classic, Don’t Know Much.

He learned it while in Jamaica at a track meet so he could sing it to Kerry-Ann on his return. In fact, David can identify two other songs which have made an impact on his life and his relationship – When God Made You

by NewSong and I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) by The Four Tops.

The latter he sang while embracing his own sugar pie.

The couple has been engaged for one year and four months, but it was only last December that Kerry-Ann got her ring.

It was a surprise proposal when he took her out for her birthday last year.

During dinner, he kept asking her how she would feel about marrying him.

Unknown to her, David had arranged with the restaurant staff to bring her favourite dessert to the table. He then told KerryAnn to go freshen up, and as soon as she left the table he signalled the wait staff to set up. On Kerry-Ann’s return, they sang Happy Birthday to her and David then popped

KERRY-ANN AND DAVID have found that perfect someone in each other.

(Pictures by Rawle Culbard.)

the question.

Speechless and crying, Kerry-Ann said “yes”. All she could manage to muster was “awwwwwwwwww,” and do what they refer to as her funny, happy dance. Although there was no ring, that moment was so special she did not care. “Just knowing that David loved me and wanted to marry me was a bigger jackpot than winning the lottery,” she said.

“She was happily embarrassed,” David said. But she was okay once she got started on her favourite dessert – ice cream topped with chocolate syrup, caramel and whipped cream.

There was another surprise in store for her last December when David finally gave her the engagement ring as a Christmas gift.

While they were in The City shopping, David somehow got a suspicious Kerry-Ann to leave him so he could run into a jewellery store to buy a ring. Once secured, he placed it on a teddy bear and presented it to an

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8. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

APRIL 6, 2014

individual pursuits. When David is on the track, Kerry-Ann is sure to be cheering him on. Kerry-Ann is a excited Kerry-Ann. Barbados Community College “It is too big, but it is always close culinary arts graduate who has and safe until she can get it resized to dreams of studying at Le Cordon Bleu fit,” he said. in Paris or Boston. To this end, she David and Kerry-Ann entered the makes cheesecakes and caters for small Forever I Do Dream Wedding events. David is her manager in this Competition because they wanted to venture. share their story with the world. They In fact, before he met Kerry-Ann, know that their young ages might make David was not a lover of cheesecake. He others question their ability to handle the responsibility that comes with being is now.

Kerry-Ann has also won gold, silver married, but they know that they and two bronzes in the National are ready to make that commitment Independence Festival Of Creative Arts to each other. culinary competition and David is always “Age doesn’t matter, we will make the vow and work on our ups and downs, there for moral support. They believe in sticking close in good times and even said David. “I realise I have found the closer in bad times. perfect someone.

Their idea of a dream wedding is “Whether or not we win the competition, I’m already a winner; I have “something traditional with a little my prize here,” he said while squashing more flair and elegance”. Hot pink, black and gold will be the colours for their Kerry-Ann with a loving bear hug.

Pink Fantasy theme. They want the Kerry-Ann, too, said that she had occasion to be a fun, memorable one found the one. which will be talked about for a long “David is my inspiration,” she said. time to come. Lots of dancing and Despite having different interests – laughter. For them, a Caribbean she likes to travel, he doesn’t; he is a UWI track athlete, she is not into sports honeymoon – close to home, just like where their hearts are – would be ideal.

– they both support each other in their

• From Page 7.

YOUR NEWS, YOUR TIME, YOUR WAY

EIGHT-PAGE SPECIAL

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014.

2. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL

APRIL 13, 2014

COLLETTE AND KEVIN (RC)

THE Forever I Do Dream Wedding Competition fits right into the wedding plans of Collette Applewhaite and Kevin Mayers. Apart from an enjoyable experience, the couple believes that winning the competition would help them realise the wedding of their dreams.

When they first started planning, the alternatives they faced put the enormous financial burden that comes with a wedding in full focus. After all, they both come from large families and want to be surrounded by all their family and friends on their special day.

“Marriage is all about family. I wanted to make sure that everybody is included. When you start a new life, you need the support of family,” said Collette. “Without my family, I would not be where I am today.”

Kevin agreed wholeheartedly. He said he grew up seeing

his parents at each other’s side until the day of his father’s death. He was 15 at the time.

“My mum was always there for my father during his illness and until the day he died,” he said.

“This is the kind of life I want for Collette and me, to be surrounded by family and friends.”

But whether they win or not, Collette and Kevin are committed to starting that life on August 8, 2015. This date is an anniversary of sorts for them – it’s very close to the date they officially got together. Collette even explored the idea of a cruise ship wedding, but Kevin, knowing her deep desire for a church wedding, did not have any trouble dissuading her. Plus their dream wedding is a ceremony at the St James Parish Church where they both worship.

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Collette and Kevin have known each other for the past 15 years. After they became a couple at age 17 they were together for several years before the relationship fell apart and they went their separate ways.

In 1999 Collette and Kevin had a chance meeting on mIRC, an Internet chat room. They didn’t know each other

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APRIL 13, 2014

• From Page 2. other but realiSed while chatting that they had several mutual friends. On evenings when they were supposed to be studying (that is the story they both gave their parents) they were actually chatting online, laughing and getting to know each other better.

They finally met for the first time in front of the Barbados Public Library one evening after school.

Because Collette had never seen Kevin, she did some background checking to make sure that he “wasn’t some kind of weirdo”.

Kevin, however, had already seen a picture of Collette in THE NATION newspaper when she was a part of her school’s debate team – and he liked what he saw.

When Collette saw Kevin, she thought to herself: “Hmmmmm, he’s a good-looking fella.”

At that time she remembers he had a thick head of hair and beard and looked older than his age. That meeting did not last very long though, as they both had to get home. But it did pave the way for plenty of late night chats.

All other meetings happened during the summer holidays at the movies, picnics, and so on. They even travelled to England together at one point. They officially got together at Grand Kadooment 2000 and that was when they shared their first kiss.

SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 3

Three years later, Collette and Kevin ended the relationship.

Kevin said the issue centred around trust and privacy.

They both went their separate ways but were still always on each other’s minds. During the first year of their break-up there was absolutely no communication.

“I took the separation very hard,” said Kevin, “it took me a while get over it.”

Eventually Collette came over to his house (supposedly to collect something) and Kevin’s mum told him that she had a feeling Collette had something to say to him but was reluctant to speak. He himself thought the same thing.

“I can’t remember exactly what it was she came for, but it wasn’t anything important,” he recalled.

For Collette’s part, she admitted there was something on her mind, but she was hoping Kevin would make the first move.

And though they were not talking, Kevin secretly hoped that Collette had not lost her interest in him. Collette meanwhile was telling herself that she had gotten over any issues they might have had and it was time to reopen talks.

Collette was studying and Kevin did not want to be a distraction. She had also left the island on a French exchange programme. Kevin himself

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4. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. APRIL 13, 2014

APRIL 13, 2014 SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL. 5

• From Page 3.

Kevin himself had university, so life kind of got in the way.

Sometimes they would run into each other at different outings and would talk and even go to the movies. But in 2012 communication improved considerably when they acknowledged that they missed each other.

Kevin said that he missed the values that were there in his relationship with Collette.

Though during their time apart he did come to care deeply for someone else, he still felt that there was something missing. “I had missed her and loved her a lot,” he said. Each time they saw each other they felt as if they wanted to say something.

For Collette it was the uncertainty of not knowing how Kevin felt about her all this time. “I did not want to put myself out there and then get shot down,” she said. She also felt that too much time had passed and she had lost her chance.

Eventually Kevin got tired of all the time-wasting and decided to assert himself and let Collette know how he really felt. The only one who was surprised by this development was Collette. Her friends and family always knew that there was still something there, she was told.

It seemed like Kevin was always there for her; whenever she was at an outing, somehow he would be there too and they would end up spending time together.

She recalled that once Kevin looked at her and said: “Oh, but I knew what I wanted, I always knew what I wanted.”

She even recalled introducing him as “my Kevin” at a fete, and hoping that no one noticed. They finally realised that they were the ones for each other when Collette left Barbados for a year on a Barbados National Development Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree. During that year, Kevin was still there for her. They communicated via Skype and

other social media.

When Collette lost a close friend, Kevin helped her through this difficult time, having lost his father at a young age. This is when she realised that “if he is here for me now, then he will be here for me forever.”

Collette and Kevin had briefly discussed marriage, even jokingly sending a friend a greeting card signed Mr and Mrs Kevin Mayers. However, the proposal came as a big surprise for her.

One evening after work, Kevin picked up Collette and headed for Mullins Beach in St Peter. Mullins now holds many memories for them since they would have spent many special moments there.

They parked and were walking along the beach and Kevin invited Collette to take a seat. She noticed that he was doodling in the sand. When she got closer she saw the words “Will you marry me?” written in the sand and Kevin was down on one knee with a ring in his hand.

Amidst tears of joy she replied “of course” and pulled him off the sand. She was so excited said Kevin, “she almost dropped her cell phone”.

Collette and Kevin envision a long life ahead of them with at least two or three children. He wants three, she wants two. They know, however, that with God’s grace they will soon start their life together as a family.

From a very unconventional start to a romantic and surprising ending, Collette and Kevin’s relationship survived some misunderstandings in the beginning and a prolonged separation. The eventual marriage will be testimony to the old adage that if you love someone, set them free and if they come back, it was meant to be.

NATION ADVERTISING MANAGER Paulette Jones chatting with Garry Burke of Colleton House. (RC)

NATION ADVERTISING Sales Representative Adrian Bowen (left) chatting with Ryan Corbin, manager of Mahogany Ridge (centre) and Forever I Do judge Keith Robertson.

(RC)

FOREVER I DO finalists (above from left) Damien Chassang and Vanessa Branch, Deborah Ramdin and Jamal Haynes and Kyle Hinds and Krystal Headley. (Inset from left) are Kerry-Ann Johnson and David Scantlebury and Collette Applewhaite and Kevin Mayers. (RC)

ALL FIVE FINALISTS in the 2014 edition of THE NATION’s Forever I Do Dream Wedding Competition will walk away winners. This was revealed during a cocktail reception to mark the official launch of the contest recently at idyllic Mahogany Ridge located at Plum Tree Road, St James. The couples got a chance to experience the location first-hand since part of the winning couples’ prize includes hosting of their special day at this wonderful location.

The five couples in this year’s competition are Deborah Ramdin and Jamal Haynes, Vanessa Branch and Damien Chassang, Krystal Headley and Kyle Hinds, Kerry-Ann Johnson and David Scantlebury, and Collette Applewhaite and Kevin Mayers.

The evening was also an opportunity to meet with sponsors of the competition: the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Avon, the

Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Limited, Colleton House and Corbin’s Catering. They also met and interacted with competition judges Keith and Kay Robertson, Tyrone and Nellis Cobham and the Reverend Orlando Seale and Mrs Seale.

After the formalities it was time for the couples to have some fun. The men got a chance to show how well they knew their partners in what was a keenly contested segment filled with lots of laughter. It eventually came down to a tiebreaker between Deborah and Jamal and Vanessa and Damien with Deborah and Jamal emerging as the winners.

After the contest, couples, sponsors, representatives from THE NATION and other invited guests mixed and mingled to the sweet musical selections of Alpha 24.

GROOMS-TO-BE busy answering questions about their partners. Inset is Damien Chassang. (RC)

WINNERS IN THE How Well Do You Know Your Spouse contest Jamal Haynes and Deborah Ramdin collecting their prize from NATION Advertising Sales Administrator, Wendey Delaney. (RC)

JUDGES Tyrone and Nellis Cobham (left) interacting with finalists Kerry-Ann Johnson and David Scantlebury. (RC)