United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson (second left) with Aubyn Hill and his children Alana and Alexander.photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

They came from near and far, as far away as Florida and as near as just across the fence, to celebrate a beautiful silver wedding anniversary with Aubyn and Tamara Hill on Monday, May 26, in a perfect setting created by Michelle Lee and Dawn Woodstock at their Cherry Gardens, St Andrew, residence.

Chaired by their son, Alexander, the celebration included a surprise, planned for Aubyn by Tamara of his favourite local songbird, Karen Smith. She had topped his earlier dedication of the Al Martino classic, Mary in the Morning. Not up to singing, he'd repeated the words of the song, but substituted Tamara for Mary and at the end, they danced to the song, much to everyone's delight.

Toasts were few and began with one by the couple's friend, Robert Levy of Jamaica Broilers, who spoke of Tamara's outgoing and loving nature, coupled with Aubyn's fiercely competitive and driven personality.

opposites attract

Their children, Alexander and Alana, described their parents as the perfect example of when opposites attract, an amazing father and mother whom the Lord had brought through together to be good examples for them.

Tamara described her husband of 25 years as "loving, kind, supportive, an outstanding father and excellent provider, who had survived her cooking in the early days of marriage".

In reply, Aubyn's accolades for his wife included words like "intrepid, amazing, a great mixer, excellent mother and wife, and yes, she had been transformed into a great cook of many different cuisines".

the guests

Among the guests who enjoyed Ciao Bella's fabulous fare and the 50-50 band's beautiful music were American Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson and husband, Howard; Rosalee and Marvin Goodman; Sonia Elliott; Oliver Clarke and wife, Monica Ladd; Tanny and Madge Shirley, friends of over 38 years; Myrtle Dwyer; Reggie Webb-Harris and wife, Ann; doctors Nigel and Rupika Clarke, Milverton and Mignonette Reynolds; Dr Dhiru Tanna and wife, Laura; Wykeham McNeill and wife, Sheila Benjamin McNeill; Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna and Senator Sandrea Falconer; Minna Israel; Patrick Hylton; National Security Minister Trevor MacMillan and wife, Dr Olivia McDonald; Jordan and Paulette Keane; Christopher and Sally Levy; Lisa and Charles Johnston, and several others.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com

Aubyn Hill is caught in a fun-filled moment with long-time friends Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna and Senator Sandrea Falconer.

Guests from left: Minna Israel, Tanny Shirley, National Security Minister Trevor MacMillan and Madge Shirley enjoy each other's company.

Reggie Webb-Harris could not contain his joy as Karen Smith serenaded him during Aubyn and Tamara Hill's 25th wedding anniversary dinner and dance at their St Andrew home last Monday night.

A toast to friendship among (from left) Tamara Hill, Mignonette Reynolds, Marilyn Bennett and Lavern Parchment.

Paul Stockhausen (left) with wife, Becky, and Dennis Lalor converse at the Hills' 25th anniversary dinner and dance.