Taking it higher

Avia Ustanny, Freelance Writer

This week, we begin to take you step-by-glamorous-step on a journey with a mystery couple who utter marital vows this June. Come along with them, as they share their past, the current celebrations and finally their hopes for the future.

SHE was 15 and D only 12 when they started dating. They grew up together in the same neighbourhood in Waterworks, Kingston. The announcement of their engagement set an entire community alight.

The toddlers grew into lovers under the watchful eyes of family and friends. "She was my cousins' neighbour and used to come up to their house. We grew up together," D said. "When I was 12 and she was 15, we started going together. I was a student at Wolmer's and she was at St. Hugh's. We never went out with other people. At 12, I thought it was just a dream come true."

What they have decided to do at age 22 and 25 was a welcome confirmation of what everyone knew.

"Everybody has been waiting for this since we were 19 and 22. Wherever people can help, they have been helping. This is a community wedding."

On D's return from New York, where he attends school, he was met plane side on landing at Norman Manley International Airport by family members with passes donated by one starry-eyed neighbour.

Now is the moment to take vows, D said, because he feels that he is in the financial position to take care of a wife. "Where I am in New York I believe I have everything covered. I am in a financial position where I can support a wife.

"How would S feel if I did not let her know how important she was to me by asking her to become my wife? How could we be together for 10 years and not take this to another level?"

The biochemistry graduate now holds a job even while pursuing a masters in health administration. S also graduated this semester (BSc in Management Information Systems). It is a good time to move on to the main objective.

S told us, "I left the main decision up to him. I trusted him to do the right thing.

"I like his dedication to whatever he is involved in, his respect and his love of family and friends. I love his sense of humour ­ his fun loving spirit...I just knew that I would always love D, that he would always be a special friend. This feeling I had from I was young."

D recalls that when he was 13 and S was attending CAST (now UTech), it was a turning point in their lives. She was doing different things. "My parents said to me that she would maybe want to move on to a different relationship and that I should expect changes. I assured them that that would not happen."

Are they still prepared for 'better or for worse'?

D's only response was "It will be great." S smiles.

"There have been very hard times," the groom-to-be said. "We are seasoned veterans. Though it might not look like it," he added.

This definitely is not a story book affair, he claims.

"We did grow up together in a family where marriage was a priority." D noted.

His proposal came on June 11, 2000, after seeking fatherly advice. "I was ready. There was no nervousness at 7:00 in the morning. I had called home to speak to my Dad to seek his advice, then I called her parents to ask their permission. The most nerve-wracking part was talking to her mother."

After getting the approval of parents, talking to S was easy.

Will making the actual vows be another hurdle?

Next week: One week to the wedding

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