
Contributed
Don and Hilary Wehby, man and wife ... best friends.
Misha Lobban, Contributor
What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. (Aristotle)
It is said that true friendship isn't seen with the eyes, it is felt with the heart. It was, therefore, not surprising when we asked Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Don Wehby, to tell us who is his closest friend and he named his wife, Hilary.
Don and Hilary Wehby have been married for the last 18 years, and together they have three children. Hilary works in the area of new product development and marketing at GraceKennedy and tutors an undergraduate course in research in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies (Mona).
Through the eyes of Hilary Wehby, we gain insight into another side of Don Wehby, who resigned last year September from his position as chief operating officer of GraceKennedy's Financial Services Division, as well as his directorship with the company, to take up his appointment as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. His appointment was widely praised by the private sector. A professionally qualified chartered accountant, he is considered by his colleagues in the private sector as one of the youngest and most dynamic professionals in the area of finance.
But that's his business side. What does his best friend - his wife - have to say about him? We gave her seven questions. Keep on reading.
,b>1. Don Wehby names you as his closest friend. Tell us how you met.
I met Don one day when my older brother was driving me home from school. I was in lower sixth form at the time. My brother was dating Don's cousin and he stopped at Don's house on the way home. Don came outside and started talking to me and we realised that we were both in sixth form and were doing the same subjects (economics and accounts). That was the first of many commonalities that we share.
2. How long have you been friends?
Since we were both in sixth form (I was attending St. Andrew High and he, St. George's College).
3. Tell us what you admire most about him, and why you think you have remained friends all these years.
Oh boy, that's hard because I admire many things about him! I guess it's a combination of traits. He is always interesting, fun and full of humour. His mind is always ticking! He is also very down to earth and can relate very easily to people from all walks of life and of all age. He is also a very, very good father and son.
We have remained friends all these years because we have a lot in common (both important and unimportant things) and we also complement each other in many ways. We are very compatible at the core. Our relationship has always been entirely mutual. He always tells me, "You can't see we mek for each other?"
4. Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with him.
Wow! Happiest moments with him! I would say those would include some times when we steal away for a weekend, for example, to watch a Jamaican football match in Miami. Some family vacations, the birth of our three children and our wedding would also come close.
5. Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Don Wehby, and why.
Oh boy, he's the real deal! He is a genuine, wonderful, talented human being, yet he is completely unassuming.
6. What are his favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?
Jerk pork, jerk chicken and festival - especially if he has been away - he has to go straight for some jerk pork!
Bob Marley
He loves horses - mainly breeding, as well as cricket and track and field.
7. Tell us the colour that you associate him with:
Yellow - signifying someone you'll never forget.
Orange - signifying someone you consider your true friend.
Red - signifying someone you really love.
Green - signifying someone you'll remember for the rest of your life.
RED! - He is the love of my life full stop.
Please send your feedback and comments to lobban_misha@yahoo.com