ser*en*dip*i*ty

noun

1. the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

Picture it: Four years ago, in January 2011, Din Duggan and Ramona Guy were introduced by a mutual friend. Unbeknownst to them, this was the start of something wonderful. Fast-forward to March 14, 2015 at the University of the West Indies Chapel, where they were joined in holy matrimony.

VOWS presents Mr and Mrs Din Duggan.

How They Met

Cousins Publishing Co-Founder and Axiom Law Attorney Development and Recruiting Manager Din Duggan met Hawkeye/Ranger Protection Company Limited Assistant Human Resource Manager Ramona Guy in a stroke of serendipity. The story unfolds…

According To Din…

I was at a party in December 2010 — as I was prone to be in those days. A friend pointed out a particular girl to me. She was noteworthy and she was hanging out with another girl who was — for a number of reasons — also noteworthy. My friend and I made a few intellectually oriented comments about the two girls and continued to enjoy the party. That was that.

The next day I was on a call with a female friend (let’s call her ‘Clueless in Kingston’). After telling her about these two girls I had noticed the night before, she asked me a few questions to try and identify them and I responded. She immediately deduced that one of the girls must have been a friend of hers — Ramona — then proceeded to tell me that Ramona was single and “a very nice girl”. She offered to introduce us. Being the friendly person that I am, and always willing to help out a nice single girl, I agreed to the introduction.

Clueless proceeded to contact Ramona, telling her that her friend, Din, had seen her at a party the night before and would like to meet her. This came as a shock to Ramona, who informed Clueless that she had not been to a party the night before. (Knowing what I know now, I bet Ramona was home watching Friends, Seinfeld, Law & Order, or Border Wars.) Apparently the tall, short-haired girl I had described was not Ramona. Clueless, however, insisted that I meet Ramona. The rest, as they say, is history — or, as I say, destiny.

According to Ramona…

Aaaahhh, I remember that day very well. It was the first Monday of January 2011 — the first day back at grad school. I had just completed my first Human Resource class when my friend texted me to say that a guy had seen me at a party over the Christmas holidays and liked me and wanted to get to know me. Naturally I was blushing and smiling from ear to ear. I asked her which party, because I wanted to remember what I was wearing that night — you know, so I could see if I was looking cute. It just so happened that I was not at that party, but I agreed to meet him. That night Din and I exchanged BlackBerry pins and we have spoken every night since.

The Proposal (Din’s Perspective)

Proposing to Ramona was a mission from the very start — I struggled with determining her ring size. I searched the Internet looking for discreet ways to determine a woman’s ring size. The search for the ring was another mission. I became an expert in the four C’s: cut, clarity, colour, and carat. I purchased the perfect ring, but I had to fly to Atlanta to pick it up. I had no real reason to go to Atlanta, so I told her that I had some tax forms to sign — an outright lie. Of course, she asked why I couldn’t just e-mail or fax the signed forms. I came up with a brilliant reason: “They need the original.”

Ramona was disappointed that we couldn’t make prior dinner reservations as I was away. I apologised, and told her that when I returned to Jamaica we’d have a beautiful Sunday picnic on a beach in Portland. My plan was to return to Jamaica on Saturday morning, ask Ramona’s father for her hand in marriage, then go out and purchase all her favourite foods. Having her father’s approval, I dashed off running from supermarket to bakery to purchase all the items for our picnic. Sunday came, I proposed to her like a boss (meaning, I mumbled through the words), and, of course, she said yes!

Ramona’s Perspective…

Din’s proposal was very sweet and well-thought-out. I had a feeling a proposal was coming, especially since he had been acting so strangely in the weeks leading up to it. After he came back from Atlanta he took me to our favourite spot in Portland — Frenchman’s Cove. He wouldn’t allow me to see all the food that he bought for the picnic until we got to the beach, which added to my suspicions. Once we arrived, he had all my favourite foods laid out — things that I’ve told him over the years that I like.

As soon as we were ready to dig in, I saw him go down on one knee as he uttered, “I have all the foods you love except one — wedding cake — and I think we can get that on our wedding day.” I was shocked and actually thought he was kidding until he showed me the ring and slipped it on my finger. I didn’t hear anything else, except: “You said yes, right?” I was ready to rush back to Kingston and share the excitement with my family and friends. It was perfect — a day I will never forget.

Take Me To The Chapel…

Violinist Rafiq Williams provided the music for the bridal party’s procession to the altar with Elvis Presley’s I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You, followed by Ramona’s graceful promenade to Williams’ rendition of Elton John’s Can You Feel The Love Tonight. Din stood calm and collected as Ramona made her way to the altar. Up-and-coming artiste CK performed Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud, while officiating ministers Rafael Thomas and Donovan Thomas performed the nuptials.

Ramona wore a gorgeous sweetheart-neckline, diamond white A-line gown with intricate lace appliqués and beading along the bust and waist — cinched with a rhinestone belt. For her reception, she slipped into a beautiful champagne chiffon sweetheart-neckline dress complementing her bridesmaids’ dresses. The bridesmaids made their own stunning statements in floor-length champagne dresses in varying styles. The bridegroom had two wardrobe changes: the first was a Hugo Boss single-button peak lapel, three-piece tuxedo that was worn with a black satin bow tie. His reception suit was a black and white three-piece ensemble.

The overcast Saturday evening festivities commenced with cocktail hour at the Hope Botanical Gardens reception area awash with white and ivory flora from By Melanie Miller Weddings & Events. Master of ceremonies Dr Christopher Tufton ensured a steady flow of patrons to the photo booth.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous four-course Suzanne Couch dinner, and visited the fruitcake dessert bar stocked with Maxine Duggan fruitcake and Baked by Desiree mini champagne raspberry cupcakes; cheesecake bites; mini pavlovas; and chocolate hazelnut truffles.

Dr Tufton ushered in a round of toasts, followed by the bridegroom’s response. The newly-weds strolled onto the dance floor for a heart-warming waltz to Billy Joel’s Make You Feel My Love.

DJ Mix Master David had everyone on the dancefloor with Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk.

Ramona and Din plan a summer getaway in beautiful Santorini, Greece.