Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
Cameil Effs surrounded by her bridesmaids and a flower girl on her wedding day. Her mother, Cathrine Effs, an accomplished seamstress made all the dresses, hats and bouquets. - CONTRIBUTED
WHEN CAMEIL Effs and Jason Salmon exchanged wedding vows on June 4 at the Wesleyan Holiness Church in St. Andrew, it was a celebration of their love.
It was a public celebration of a relationship that started almost five years ago while both were students at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts on Arthur Wint Drive in St. Andrew.
Salmon, 23, was a graphic arts student and Effs, 25, now a high school art teacher, was an art and textile major.
A DATE HE WILL NEVER FORGET
Their first date, remembers Salmon, was October 10, 2000. Realising that they shared common interests -- art, Christianity and a strong love for family -- they became inseparable.
THE BLOSSOMING OF A RELATIONSHIP:
Effs says she realised that Salmon was different from other men she had dated. He wasn't afraid to express his love and affection for her.
"The things that he was doing and the things he was writing, I know he was special. No way was I going to let him go."
For a year, "He would write poems and put them underneath my door so when I woke up in the mornings I would see them."
When he didn't pen his own words of love, he would slip cards, presents, or little paintings that he had done in class under the door. On her birthday during the second year of their relationship he gave her a friendship ring.
In addition, Salmon accepted Effs for who she was. "I'm a person who's very spontaneous and when I met him I was going through emotional problems and he assisted me through it even before things got serious," she explains.
Salmon also knew he had found someone special. "Soon after (we met) I knew that Cameil was the kind of person I would want to be in a long term relationship with because of her personality," he says, explaining that he doesn't go for the 'hype' type.
"(I look for) someone who can assist me to attain the goals that I have set for myself, someone who has ambition and who I won't have to carry along."
Effs is also religious, which is a bonus, adds Salmon.
WEDDING BELLS BEGAN RINGING
Salmon says he realised three years ago that he wanted Effs to be his wife.
"We had a big argument and I wanted to pull away but couldn't. No matter how I tried I couldn't let go. It's hard to explain what happened. This girl was the one and I wanted to hang on to her."
With emotions growing deeper the couple realised that they had reached a mark and made an agreement to get married.
"She's unique, ambitious and that's important to me and I saw that in her. She's supportive and she's someone who will guide me to my goals in life," says Salmon.
"When I'm around her I glow. Even if I had a bad day at work, when I reach home the whole atmosphere would change. If anything is love I know this, I don't know how else to explain my love for her but that she makes me glow."
Effs notes that the entire wedding ceremony was special but adds that she will always remember how Salmon looked into her eyes as she glided down the aisle.
"When I walked into the church and I saw him look at me I could see that there was true love. He was looking into my eyes, only once he looked down, but he was looking into my eyes."
RECEPTION
Under the theme 'endless love' the newly married couple celebrated with their guests at the Hotel Four Seasons in St. Andrew. The highlight of the evening was when the room became silent, listening as Effs sang Endless Love to her groom.
"It was just was a moment of reflection - reflecting on the relationship then and the relationship to come," says Salmon, explaining his feelings as his wife sang.
HONEYMOON
Sandals Whitehouse, Westmoreland.
