Vows: We Found Love
The solemnisation of holy matrimony uniting Ishmael Wiggan and Aneika Smith took place last Saturday at the historic 170-year-old Calvary Baptist Church in Montego Bay.
THE CONNECTION…
The ceremony was a milestone in a journey of long-distance love, friendship, spiritual bonding and shared faith. The couple, a true reflection of millennials, met on Christian Mingle, an online dating website.
“My first message to her was ‘I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship’, and the rest is history,” stated a smiling Ishmael.
THE COURTSHIP…
“Our courtship developed at a slow pace because of the distance; I live in Kingston and Aneika lives in Montego Bay. Trust would have to be first and developed over time. So in the early parts we spoke via email until we were both comfortable in exchanging telephone numbers,” Ishmael explained.
“It was like those old-time love stories where letters would be sent to keep the connections going. It is a long-distance relationship so it was difficult in the beginning, but by the grace of God we overcame all the obstacles. We would alternate when we visited each other. We are both Christians, so when we did meet up we went to parks such as Devon House, Hope Gardens, Emancipation Park and the Old Hospital Park in Montego Bay. Patience and consistent communication were the key ingredients to us reaching where we are today,” Ishmael explained further.
“We would talk late at nights on Digicel’s free nights, resisting sleep to stay up and talk. Several times I would fall asleep and Aneika would tell me the next day that she was there talking, thinking that I’m still listening, only later to hear me snoring. We always made an effort to surprise each other; she surprised me and showed up at my graduation when I told her she didn’t have to come to Kingston, based on unexpected expenses that she had the day before. So the engagement had to be a big surprise,” Ishmael added with a gleam in his eye.
THE PROPOSAL
“Dinner was planned at the Blue Window Restaurant at the Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston. It was on February 6, 2016, three days after her birthday, so she thought it was a birthday celebration. I also had a photographer who captured the moment. He made her think he was doing a promotion for the hotel. All the persons at the time got excited and surrounded us and a few asked what did she say? They all applauded us afterwards when I told them she said yes,” said Ishmael.
THE CEREMONY
Ishmael looked composed, but it was the constant pacing around the church and checking on little details that gave away his nervousness. Best man Andre Nelson sat him down and calmed him just long enough until news reached that the bride was outside.
“Why I love you” by Major came over the speakers, the church doors opened revealing a beautiful Aneika adorned in a white and gold lace gown from the design house Toots in Montego Bay. The traditional ceremony witnessed by family and friends was seamlessly officiated by Rev Dave Falconer.
THE RECEPTION
The reception was held at Hotel Gloriana and Spa.
THE HONEYMOON
After the formalities, the couple spent their honeymoon at the Grand Palladium Resort & Spa in Hanover.
PARTING NOTE…
“I found love in Aneika; she loved me for me. It never mattered about my possessions or any other worldly accolades. We kept working at loving each other, and prayer was another major ingredient in our relationship.”
