Mrs Ali Peterson, flanked by her parents, Debbie and Louis Grant. - Contributed photos

Five years ago, Richard Peterson was taking the train to Long Island in New York when he saw a gorgeous, young lady also boarding.

He followed her to the same 'car', and was pleased to see that she was exiting at the same station. They were both attending orientation at Stonybrook Medical School.

He struck up a conversation; they became friends and eventually study partners. "It was 'interest' at first sight. However, we were both dating others. We fostered a friendship as study partners - with late nights in the library and early mornings watching pathology videos. And then when the time was right, we fell deeply in love," said Ali.

Graduated as couple

Four years later, they graduated as medical doctors and as a couple.

Ali is in her second year of paediatric residency at Stonybrook University Medical Centre and is a past student of Knox College in Clarendon and Middlebury College, Vermont, United States of America. Richard is currently at Yale University Hospital doing his residency in child psychiatry.

Ali is the daughter of hotelier, Louis Grant of Sandals Dunn's River, and her mother Debbie Grant, a retail consultant based in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Richard is the son of Dallas and Rosie Peterson of Shakopee, Minnesota, and attended Bemidji State University, Minnesota University and University of Wisconsin.

The proposal and ...

Richard Peterson surprised Ali when he proposed in December 2007 at Beaches Negril where the family had gathered for Ali's great-grandmother's 100th birthday. Unknown to her, he flew down the day before she arrived. Walking into her parents' room, she found him down on one knee in front of her immediate family.

Special day

On Saturday, April 19, all was set for their special day. Our Lady of Fatima Church in Ocho Rios, St Ann, provided the ideal setting. Pastor Wesley Boynes officiated the ceremony.

Ali emerged in a Stephen Yearnick couture creation, exquisitely beaded and fitted to her small frame with a cathedral veil. The bridal party entered to What a Wonderful World by Thiele and Weiss.

Ali loves her husband's ability to relate to everyone. "From the fisherman on the beach in Negril to the dean of his medical school, he's got a knack for making people feel at ease."

Heart of gold

Richard loves Ali's 'heart of gold', as demonstrated not only by the love she shows towards family, but by her caring attitude towards friends, patients and even strangers.

The couple captured the special moments of their day on the fabulous grounds of Rio Chico for pictures with renowned wedding photographers, Jim and Stephanie Kennedy, from California. The reception followed at Laughing Waters in St Ann.

The cake was a three-tiered creation by Sandals Dunn's River pastry chef, Carlene Johnson, a copy of the design for her parents 12 years ago.

Ali McGaw and Richard Peterson