Randevon and Marshalyn Patrick: a love story unveiled

Perhaps it is a twist of fate that has led to the union of Randevon and Marshalyn Patrick. They have known each other for more than 25 years, but despite the time that have passed between them, and the distinct life paths each has taken, somehow, they have managed to stay in touch.

Marshalyn, a specialist nurse, who formerly served as a nurse manager at the Princess Margaret Hospital, is now working as an emergency room nurse at HSC Grand Cayman. On the other hand, Randevon has been a music teacher for over two decades. He is a former member of the C-Sharp Band and is currently working with Empress Sativa and the Unconquerables.

“Randevon and I attended Seaforth High School, where I was one year ahead of him. We were members of the school’s choir and entered JCDC competitions annually. We usually interacted and were just merely schoolmates that would stop to chat at times we would see each other,” Marshalyn told Island Wedding.

“We lost contact with each other many times but somehow always managed to reunite. Randevon was very quiet and humble in school while I was more outgoing, involved in many extracurricular activities and a class prefect. After we graduated, we went to live our separate lives. I got married, had children, and was a loved and highly respected nurse. Randevon had his music career, was touring and had children, too,” she added.

According to Randevon, his first impression of Marshalyn was that she was a woman of strong ethics and principles, and deep within his heart, even if she did not become his wife, he wanted to always be in her company.

DIFFICULT TIME

In late 2018, Marshalyn’s husband died. This was an especially difficult time for her as he became ill just a week after her birthday and died just before their anniversary. According to Marshalyn, it took some time for her to start dating again, and after two years, she and Randevon started dating.

“Earlier in the year, I had made a recommendation for a friend of his, and that interaction made us rekindle our friendship. One afternoon, he and his friend offered me a ride, and from there on, we made it sort of an obligation to stay in contact,” Marshalyn said.

Randevon, Marshalyn said, was always a very humble and fun person. “I found his love and passion for music very intriguing as I was the same with music. Randevon had randomly asked if I could do backup for an artiste in an event his band was playing at. I agreed because I loved music only and not because he made me laugh or because I was interested in seeing him again. We took a photo together, and I posted it, and soon after, my friends flooded my inbox with comments on how great we looked together and praising him for the megawatt smile I was sporting,” Marshalyn recalled.

“Marsha is like a mobile dropbox. She knows every song. There is no song I start that she doesn’t know the words for and even better than I do. Our favourite thing together is when we are travelling and we are singing and harmonising together,” Randevon added.

The couple’s first date was not planned. Marshalyn invited Randevon to join her on the day she was taking her graduation photographs. She was graduating from her master’s in health administration. Marshalyn shared that he made the moment special for her and kept a smile on her face for the entire time.

“We went for lunch at Gloria’s, and when our food arrived at our table, he took my hand and blessed the food. That was a really defining moment for me as I love God, and I felt it in my spirit that he was the one,” she said.

The couple have been together for three years. During this time, they have worked together to ensure that their bond has remained unbreakable.

“Randevon is a very collaborative person and is very compromising. He takes these approaches in everything he does, and this has made him one of the most understanding people I know. He always does his best to make me happy and is never hesitant to offer apologies whenever possible. He told me ‘Marsha, I’m not perfect, but I will do my best and whenever you see me slipping up, please tell me,’ Marshalyn said.

A REMINDER OF HIS LOVE

For the three years they have been together, Marshalyn mentioned that he has never failed to send her daily reggae love songs. “One that is frequently sent is Smooth Black Skin by Jahdan Blakkamoore. This reminds me of how much he loves me and the completeness that I bring to him,” she shared.

Randevon and Marshalyn said they knew they would get married. The couple decided to surprise each other on Randevon’s birthday on September 3, 2022. Marshalyn intended to surprise him for his birthday, but Randevon had different plans in mind. On that day, he wanted to ask Marshalyn to be his wife.

“Before, she told me she was going to take me for dinner, so I was expecting just that. While in Morant Bay at the Paul Bogle statue waiting for her, she went to collect some things so we could move to the place for dinning. When I looked around, I saw planners coming from east and another set coming from every side in Morant Bay all dressed in the same uniform. I was so speechless cause that was not what I was expecting,” Randevon said

He was even more surprised as he found himself surrounded by cameras. During the shoot, the photographer gave them both the same instructions on how to pose for the photographs.“When she looked around and saw me on my knees with the ring in my hand, tears of joy kept falling from her face.” Randevon shared.

“Randevon was on tour and was slated to return home around the time of his birthday. I missed him terribly and decided that I wanted do something celebratory for his return and birthday. He had always mentioned that he wanted to do a photoshoot for his band. My family and I are big on birthdays, and so I enlisted the help of my nieces and daughter, and we decided to add a surprise party to the surprise photoshoot our friends and I were planning,” Marshalyn said.

“During the photoshoot, I was instructed to pose with Randevon behind me. It was taking some time to get the pose right, but when I was told to turn around, I saw Randevon on one knee with the most beautiful ring being held out, asking for my love and devotion forever. It was a surprise within my surprise and the most romantic scene ever. We completed the day as planned with the group and partied in my backyard,” she added.

Marshalyn saw herself as a modern-day bride, yearning for a dream wedding complete with smoke effects and fireworks. Although this aspect of her wedding day did not materialise, the couple chose burgundy, blush, and rose pink as their colours.

One year after their official engagement, the wedding was held at Caymanas Golf and Country Club in St Catherine. They aimed for an outdoor theme that encompassed nature and had 80 guests with 16 people for the wedding party.

The wedding planner, Erica Beckford, collaborated with the creative and talented videographers and photographers from St Thomas Events and Russ Media.

The newlyweds spent their honeymoon at Secrets Montego Bay, fully embracing their time together before returning to work.

“We made sure we had the time of our lives. We did everything different rather than just staying at the hotel. We went partying on a boat, took many photos, ate at fancy restaurants, and entered a talent show and beautifully sung a duet of From This Moment by Shania Twain and won second place,” Marshalyn said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com