Mortimore and Kemesha Williams finally said their 'I dos' on March 29. The perfect birthday present for Kemesha. - Contributed

Morti and I were officially introduced by his brother's fiancée, Natasha, in 2000. He told her that he liked me. We saw each other on several occasions, but never spoke.

After the introductions, we really got to know and understand each other. We later realised that there was a special connection between us. At the time, Morti was working at the Junction branch of the SuperPlus franchise, and I was a teacher at the Peter's View Basic School, which is operated by the Lacovia New Testament Church of God, the church that he attended.

In September 2001, I went on a job assignment to the United States and returned in November of the same year. During this time, we kept in touch, though it was not easy for both of us.

Emotional occasions

After I returned, I moved to Kingston in 2002 for my current job with Air Jamaica. We kept in touch and saw each other whenever I went down on weekends or sometimes, he'd visit. This was very difficult as most times, he'd leave me in tears not wanting him to go.

Things got worse when Morti left the island for the USA in June 2004. This was a sad and emotional occasion, one that I didn't handle very well. But he kept reassuring me that we'd be together again some day. He returned in March of the following year to celebrate my birthday. That birthday was very special and is still fresh in my mind. It was always great just having him around but it always moved me to tears to see him leave. He also returned in August for a surprise birthday party that I planned for him.

The proposal

His next trip home was March 2006 for my birthday. He took me on a date to Jewels in Portmore, where he proposed. When I saw him getting down on his knees, I could literally feel my heart racing. Trying to hold back the tears, I said yes!

We scheduled our wedding day for March 29, 2008, my birthday.

The 'wedding in paradise' took place at the lovely garden at the spectacular Bridge Palm Hotel in Toll Gate, Clarendon. Officiating minister Rev Ronald Mitchell added his own share of spice to the ceremony.

Morti sometimes marvelled at how far we've come with this relationship. He confessed that when I was attending high school (Hampton), he didn't like me because he thought I was 'boasty. But little did he know that someday, he'd fall in love with this same boasty girl, and later make her his wife.