A five-year romance between DuPont Primary and Infant School teachers Robertha Hayles and Ramone Cox culminated on Saturday, October 15 with an exchange of wedding vows at St Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Olympic Way.

You’d be forgiven to deem it a teachable moment even though Cupid’s hovering arrow was certainly not on the syllabus.

Robertha and Ramone met at the DuPont Primary and Infant School, not as students but as interviewees for a job. As luck would have it they were both successful and were assigned to teach the same grade.

Orientation the next day for grade six teachers and students introduced Ramone to Robertha’s caring side. She had prepared enough lunch to share with all. Ramone, who was quick to take up the offer, jokingly shared: “A from deh moment deh you an’ yuh granny tie mi”. Real or imagined, it proved to be the start of an enduring friendship.

It goes without saying that working in proximity each week, as well as eventually starting to teach Saturday classes drew them closer. It was futile denying that they both had feelings for each other. They had met in 2017 and two years years later Ramone decided to take the bull by the horns. Thankfully, the feeling was mutual.

The proposal would come three years later at a surprise birthday dinner party at Timber Lounge Sovereign Village Portmore arranged by Robertha for Ramone’s mum.

Little did she know that the surprise would be hers as, overcome with emotion, she agreed to become Mrs Ramone Cox.

I now pronounce you…

The exchange of vows took place inside the sanctuary of St Pius X Roman Catholic Church where Peaches Brown from Flowers and Things used shades of navy blue, champagne and hints of gold to enhance the area.

To CeCe Winans’ Goodness of God, Robertha made her way up the aisle escorted by her grandfather, Wilford Howell.

She dazzled in a white mermaid gown adorned with rhinestones by Simply Majestic. Her bouquet a gorgeous posy of baby’s breath and white roses.

Father Mario Burton and the Reverend Dwight Kelly were the wedding officiants.

The Reception

The navy blue, champagne and gold theme continued inside the Sts Peter & Paul banquet hall for the reception, which was described by the couple as a mixture of fun, charisma and symbolism. The highlight for many was the artful juxtaposition of the solemnity with the jovial: the newly-weds’ entrance to Joseph Stepper’s Wife and ZJ Liquid’s Wifey Walk Out versus the humility of the couple washing each other’s feet.

The couple’s first dance was to Cheryl Lynn’s If This World Were Mine featuring Luther Vandross, in addition to Daniel Caesar’s Best Part featuring H.E.R.

A memorable three-course meal was followed by the cutting of the three-tiered wedding cake by Clare Rickard.

Little time was wasted before all were on the dance floor dancing the night away to the soundscape of DJ Nutsy.

The newly-weds later honeymooned at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa.