From Happy Grove High to happily ever after

They say you don’t find love; it finds you. And it did just that when Dwayne Manning rang Taralee McKenzie’s phone. The two were far from strangers. In fact, Dwayne was Taralee’s prefect back in the day. With his younger brother, who was also her classmate, connecting the dots, the two went from students at Happy Grove High School to happily ever after as Mr and Mrs Manning.

“He was so humble, different from the other boys in high school, and he had a cute smile. While in my final year at college, I saw his brother on a bus to Portland and asked him for Dwayne, who I hadn’t seen since high school. He went and told Dwayne that he saw me, and Dwayne called that same day. l loved how mature he sounded,” Taralee told Island Wedding.

The duo went to Russell’s T20 Restaurant and Sports Bar for drinks on their first date. Taralee described the experience as amazing, “We were kinda familiar with each other, so communication was easy. We talked mostly about high school, current dreams and aspirations, [and] views on a healthy relationship.”

Dwayne explained that having known her for a while, he could attest to how pleasant, humble and bright of a student she was back in high school. “She graduated as head girl,” he proudly added.

But after rekindling their friendship through his younger brother, he began communicating with her further to get a feel of her personality. Not only was she positive and ambitious, Dwayne was given a front-row seat and backstage pass to the epic motion picture that is Taralee.

“She is beautiful, caring, supportive, submissive and kind. She has a very calm and gentle personality, which makes her easy to love and get along with, not just with me, but also people around her,” he said.

He went on to say that she motivates him to make sound financial decisions and secures the ‘three Bs’: “She ensures that my back, belly and bed is good at all times, the three Bs. She is very, very supportive.”

Ambitious, respectful, humble, handsome and determined, Taralee continues to be amazed by Dwayne’s hard-working ways and growth mindset. “If you know him, you would know of his morals and principles, and how humble and caring he is,” she said, adding that he has helped her become more mature.

“He opened my eyes to the fact that good men do exist. He is very kind and supportive and always has positive advice to share,” she revealed.

After courting for two wonderful years, Dwayne decided it was time they took their happiness all the way to holy matrimony.

Arranging to pop the question on his beloved’s birthday, he had already set his plans in motion, purchasing the ring and asking her mother for permission for her hand in marriage.

“I pretended like it was a birthday celebration, inviting close friends and families over. When everyone was handing her gifts, I took my gift out of a gift bag, which was the ring. She said yes! I couldn’t hold back the tears,” he recalled.

For the big day, the couple co-captained the wedding planning ship. While admitting it was a lot of work, the process was also a fun way for them to tap into their creative side. They both love nature, so the decision was made to go with an outdoor wedding.

Regarding the dress, Taralee said yes to a gorgeous gown from Unions Bridal Boutique. “I was going for a princess look.”

On December 11, 2022, Taralee and Dwayne tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Bowers Estate in St Catherine. The newly-weds took the merriment of ‘I do’ all the way to the reception.

In the bride’s reflection, she revealed that the wedding was amazing. Her favourite moment was looking into her husband’s eyes, especially during the exchange of vows.

“The wedding was very beautiful, authentic and heart-warming. Seeing her walking down the aisle, how beautiful she was, was the highlight for me. It was all I had hoped for,” the groom shared.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com