You stole my heart

TOMORROW is Valentine’s Day, the day of love – a time when couples the world over will spend some extra time celebrating all they mean to each other. Leon Reid and Tameka Myrie, engaged

For the three couples below, it has been an exciting journey, as shared with photojournalist Orville Spence, who travelled to three parishes to meet them.

AW: How did you meet your spouse?

Leon: Tameka and I met online while she was in Haiti for work. We later met in person when she returned home.

AW: What is the trait you value most in your partner?

Leon: I think my favourite trait in her would have to be how kind and selfless she is. She is always looking out for others in any way that she can.

Tameka: I value the fact that Leon has accepted all my flaws and he supports all my decisions. Once I am happy, he’s happy. He gives me the freedom to be myself at all times.

AW: What is your favourite thing to do as a couple?

Leon: It doesn’t matter what we do, as long as we are together; it could be lounging around at home, watching Lifetime with her (yes, Lifetime), road trips, or going to church together. We just enjoy each other’s company.

AW: What does love mean to you?

Leon: This relationship has truly opened my eyes to what love is and should be. A lot of people may say love is that honeymoon phase of the relationship when both persons can’t get enough of each other, when you’re so blinded that you can’t see the faults that exist, but I believe that love is realising that you’re not with someone perfect, and that that person has flaws. It’s realising that the person has annoying habits that drive you crazy at times, realising that there will be serious arguments and hurtful things said, yet realising that through all of this you could never ever see yourself without this person. Love is knowing that no matter the fuss and argument, you would drop everything at a moment’s notice to ensure that you are there for that person.

Tameka: I don’t believe any definition that I come up with can even come close to Leon’s, so I will have to agree with him.

AW: You’re going to a desert island. What three things/people do you take?

Leon: I will take Tameka, my love, of course, food and water. Lol.

Tameka: Leon, mobile phone and water. (Leon will take food for me.)

AW: What makes you feel most loved?

Leon: When I’m appreciated, when I feel like I’m of some significance in someone’s life.

Tameka: The smallest thing makes me feel loved and appreciated. It’s the thought that goes into the act that counts for me.

AW: What do you like best about your spouse?

Leon: I love how strong she is mentally and how ambitious she is. Tameka is always trying to find ways to better her life, and that pushes me to be better as well. She never allows disappointments to get the better of her. She has this inner strength that shines through and propels her to overcome anything.

Tameka: I love his loyalty and morals.

AW: If you had three wishes that would come true, what would they be?

Leon: 1. Living forever with Tameka by my side always; 2. Being successful in life to the point that I can have a comfortable life to take care of my wife, family and the less fortunate; and 3. To leave a significant mark that would be remembered firstly in my country and by extension, the world. I consider myself to be very patriotic so I want to make a significant impact on Jamaica.

Tameka: 1. Live a long, healthy and purpose-driven life with my soul mate; 2. I leave my mark in this world in a positive way, like Oprah; and 3. My business takes off in the first three months of operation.

AW: What’s your song?

Couple: We like Still in Love by Brian McKnight

AW: What is the nicest thing your spouse has done for you lately?

Leon: It was not hard for me to think of this and I consider it very small, but the nicest thing she does on a daily basis is to tell me how much she loves me and cares about me.

Tameka: He checks on me during the day to find out if I’ve eaten, and reminds me that I need to — very annoying, but I appreciate it.

Victor & Marguerite Anderson, married 46 years (47 this year)AW: How did you meet your spouse?Victor: We were introduced by my brother at church one Sunday evening during the summer of 1966. He had met her before I did because they attended the same school. I was stopped in my tracks, immediately captivated by her dazzling smile and engaging personality.AW: What is the trait you value most in your partner?Victor: Her ability to engage with, nurture and make others feel at ease. She has expressed this trait in raising our children, and in influencing the many other children who grew up in our neighbourhood or who are friends of our children and still call her “Mommy”. She is also very detail-oriented and these traits have led her from jobs in corporate Jamaica to a very successful career as a wedding and event planner. Although I have come to celebrate how she is able to make so many persons feel special and to provide meaningful help and counsel to them, I confess that there have been times I felt I had to compete with so many others to get her attention.AW: What is your favourite thing to do as a couple?Couple: There have been many such things, for example worshipping together, singing duets at church, a quiet drive out of town, watching a movie together, caring for our children, etc. Perhaps the most enjoyable thing we do now is care for our grandchildren – having them overnight with us, talking with them, listening to what is important to them, watching them interact with each other, and sharing in preparing meals with/for them (one of them is a budding chef!)AW: What does love mean to you?Couple: Love is about commitment of two people to each other. It is about faithfulness, keeping promises and trying not to disappoint the other person. It is about thoughtfulness and placing the other person’s interests above your own, and doing the best you can to ensure the other person’s welfare. It is about caring how the other person feels in every situation. It is about remaining loyal and not engaging in anything that would hurt or disappoint the other person if they were to find out about it. It is about companionship, contentment and comfort in each others’ presence. It is about complementing one another – each partner’s strengths filling gaps in the other person’s life, so that together they are able to have a more beneficial impact on the lives of their family members and the wider community.AW: You’re going to a desert island. What three things or people do you take?Victor: My wife and companion of 46+ years, my Bible for continued spiritual growth and guidance, and as many of my books as I could take with me, since reading is one of my favourite things.AW: What makes you feel most loved?Couple: Expressions of appreciation for what I have done for my partner, especially when it has involved great sacrifice. Being reminded that I am important to my partner. Hearing from our children that our efforts on their behalf are valued.AW: What do you like best about your spouse?Victor: She (unlike me) is very spontaneous, very adventurous. She sometimes needs to drag me to certain engagements that I eventually have to admit are quite enjoyable.AW: If you had three wishes that would come true, what would they be?Couple: Being given long enough life (together) that we can watch our children and grandchildren find meaningful faith in God, and happiness and success in their careers and personal lives.AW: What is your song?Couple: Through the Years by Kenny Rogers. What is the nicest thing your spouse has done for you lately?Victor: My 68th surprise birthday party with all our children and grandchildren present. I am usually able to get wind of these attempts to surprise me, but this time they managed to keep the secret and allow me to share in a very enjoyable evening.AW: How did you meet your spouse?Couple: We met in high school; we shared the same friends.AW: What is the trait you value most in your partner?Lilly-Hue: His go-get-it attitude.Damean: Her ability to bind our family through good and bad times.AW: What is your favourite thing to do as a couple?Couple: Spend time together. We don’t care what we do as long as we are in the same space.AW: What does love mean to you?Couple: Staying with each other no matter what because we’re a team. Whatever happens, we fix it.AW: You’re going to a desert island. What three things/people do you take?Couple: We take our kids, TV to watch football, and data devices.AW: What makes you feel most loved?Lilly-Hue: I feel most loved when he does something that makes him uncomfortable, like this photoshoot, just because it makes me happy.Damean: The way she mothers my children.AW: What do you like best about your spouse?Lilly-Hue: His ability to make sure our family is never in need – his sacrificial self.Damean: Her ability to care for everyone.AW: If you had three wishes that would come true, what would they be?Couple: To see our children become parents; to continue living our dreams together; and retiring early.AW: What is the nicest thing your spouse has done for you lately?Damean: She went shopping for me.Lilly-Hue: He follows me to the hairdresser and keeps the kids so I can get my hair and nails done.CREDITS

AW:

Damean and Lilly-Hue Carter, married three years

Photographer: Orville Spence (10.06 Photography)

Make-up artist: Sharlene Reid (Make-up by Sharlene)

Location:

1. Leon Reid & Tameka Myrie – Fern Gully, Ocho Rios

2. Damean & Lilly-Hue Carter – Home, St Catherine

3. Victor & Marguerite Anderson – Home, St Andrew