“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12

When Jody-Ann Jackson met Ricardo Wray, they were both students at the Stony Hill HEART Academy, and despite his achievements, she was not at all impressed by him. In fact, one might even say she found him pompous.

“I did not like him at all, I always thought he was acting too perfect. He was the president of the students’ council body, and to me, he behaved as though he was the ‘cat’s pyjamas’,” Jackson told Vows.

“After leaving Stony Hill I joined the Jamaica Youth for Christ’s road choir where, unfortunately, I saw him again. I thought to myself, ‘I wonder if is follow this guy following me around?’ But after hearing him sing one day in rehearsal, the wall I had built up against him came tumbling down,” she continued.

Hypnotised by Wray’s angelic voice, Jackson was officially smitten, and the two became fast friends. Fast-forward to February 14, 2013. The couple was now five years into a romance that continued to grow more fiery with each passing day. For them, it was an evening like any other they’d spent together — save for the fact that it was Valentine’s Day and they were both watching the sun set at Kingston’s historic waterfront.

“He told me that he was putting some investments together and asked me to take a look at the paperwork. While flipping through the papers, written on one of them were the words ‘Will You Marry Me’ with a crooked smiley face next to it. When I looked up he was down on one knee with a ring in his hand,” Jackson recalled.

Less than a year later — December 7, 2013 to be exact — Jody-Ann Jackson became Mrs Ricardo Wray, in a ceremony officiated by Reverend Percival Palmer at Calvary Gospel Assembly in Kingston. Maurette Brown Clark’s The One He Kept For Me served as the perfect song to usher in the bride’s entrance, on the arms of her proud parents Jeffrey and Jennifer. While the nuptials were held in a traditional venue, there were elements of it that were a welcome departure from the norm. In lieu of traditional wedding vows, the couple expressed their love for each other in song, completing their union with a cord of three strands ceremony.

“I tried to not think too much else while walking up the aisle, because I knew I would probably cry and mess up my make-up, so I focused more on not tripping over my dress,” Jackson confessed.

Etta James’ At Last was the song of choice for their first dance as husband and wife. Their guests watched in awe as they waltzed to the classic tune. Soon it was time for the newly-weds to journey to St James for a romantic getaway at the Hilton, Rose Hall. The soulmates are optimistic about their future together, believing that optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, and that nothing can be done without hope and confidence.