50 years of martial bliss
IT was midday on Saturday, March 4, 1972 when Steven Crandall took Christine Fuller to be lawfully married, and then 50 years later on Friday, March 4, 2022, almost to the hour, they renewed their vows at the Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.
With a broad smile on his face, Steven beamed as he was instructed by the pastor to kiss his bride. Following that kiss, their first dance was like reliving the 50 years of being man and wife.
Nestled in the midst of close friends and associates and resort employees, both past and present, the couple basked in the scenery overlooking the Caribbean Sea while reminiscing on their 35 visits to this specific resort. Some of those in attendance were Beaches Ocho Rios General Manager Brian Roper and Charles Blacher from the host resort, along with food and beverage manager from Sandals Ochi Fitzroy Christie.
“Being back at Sandals Ochi is like coming home to family. We share much of our love and closest of friends who have become family at all of the Sandals and Beaches resorts, but here at Sandals Ochi is most special. We continue to bask in the level of intimacy we have shared here as a couple, but the bonds of friendship that we have with the team here is undoubtedly the most memorable,” Steven shared.
Food and beverage manager at Beaches Turks and Caicos Devon Williams, who has been with the organisation since 1989 and flew in for the occasion, was a happy camper when he spoke of the couple. “They have been like parents to us, Fitzroy Christie [current F&B director at Sandals Ochi) and Bertram Brown [retired butler]. Each time that they visit, they request to have the same room overlooking the ocean. When I went to Beaches TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands], they started sharing their vacation time with Sandals Ochi and Beaches TCI. It got more complicated. When Christie went to Sandals Negril they started to share their vacation with the three resorts. They are simply lovable guests who love the Sandals product and have become family.”
When asked what has kept them married for so many years, Steven jokingly shared, “I work the money and she spends it. We have worked hard all our lives and now we are ensuring that we enjoy all that we have earned, including regular vacations and time together. We give each other 100 per cent each time. We ensure that we are patient with each other, and even though we have disagreements, we know for sure that we love and respect each other.”
Christine added, “We have a 49-year-old son with two grandchildren who we adore, but we ensure that we spend time together as often as we can. The unique bond that we have created was built on a foundation of trust, gratitude, kindness, love for people, and love for each other. The people here at Sandals Ochi have been accommodating to us for our more than 30 visits. Do we have any regrets? Not one.”
Having first graced the Sandals Ochi property for their 25th anniversary, celebrating their 50th was simply a no-brainer for the lovebirds. The couple gushed, “We have seen this resort being transformed over the last 25 years and the family bond and the quality service given have only gotten better with each visit. What keeps me going is the fact that I go to the gym every morning and cycle a hundred miles each week. Christine, on the other hand, walks at least five miles per day.”
The 68-year-old couple continue to bask in the opportunity to head home to Ochi, the place they describe as their safe harbour, every chance they get.
