Fitness sparks love connection for Andrew and Juzzel

At the very same spot in the church where his parents had tied the knot 46 years ago, during the same month of the year, Andrew Dennis had the distinguished honour of saying ‘I do’ to the love of his life, Juzzel Lindo. This pre-Christmas nuptial occasion marked a beautiful celebration fuelled by their shared love for fitness.

Andrew tells Island Wedding, “We first met at the Express Fitness Gym in Portmore, St Catherine. We shared the same trainer, who played the role of Cupid and would frequently put us to work out together.”

Although it was cool to have an attractive gym partner, Andrew stated that the initial relationship was purely platonic. Juzzel shared similar sentiments.

It wasn’t until fate stepped in that the romance began to build its momentum. Juzzel shared some insight into one of their first dates. “On Christmas Day [in] 2020, we went to Macau Gaming & Lounge in Kingston. It was very cold, but we had a great time. He then took me to his workplace.”

The pair continued to spend time together, hanging out a few more times. They also spoke regularly through phone calls and video chats every other day. “Every other day turned into every day. The phone communications then graduated to in-person visits and actual dating, and as we got to know each other more, the affection started to grow,” Andrew revealed.

Eventually, in the summer of 2020, the vision became clear, while on a staycation together, that it was time to make things official.

Not only is Juzzel gorgeous in Andrew’s eyes, she is also genuine, loyal, sincere and sweet. “She is very supportive of my dreams and aspirations, as I am of hers. Her ability to accept me as I am has given me the confidence to just be me unapologetically. She willingly accepts and plays the role of home builder. Subscribing to the good, old-fashioned traditional family woman has made it easy to love her, and easy for me to want to give her the world,” he shared.

For Juzzel, she is amazed by how honest, hard-working, caring, committed and loving her beloved has been over the years.

“Tremendous in all areas of my life, Andrew has taught me how to take calculated risks, when to listen, when to react, and so much more. When we started this relationship, we both took it a day at a time and this caused him to have a greater understanding of the concept of being in love and being loved,” she added.

Aside from going to the gym, the two enjoy watching movies and spending quality time together at home.

Juzzel knew Andrew was the one for her even before they officially got together, while Andrew’s realisation happened gradually. He could pinpoint a particular moment that stood out to him the most.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I got very sick. She would leave her home early every morning, before she went to work, and come by my place to make me breakfast and make sure I was okay. She would then return in the evenings after work, make me dinner and ensure that I’m okay, then take a taxi home. It made me know that I can commit to her, because I knew she was committed to me,” he highlighted.

After more than two years of courtship, Andrew decided to propose to the love of his life and ask her to be his lawfully wedded wife. After getting her ring size, a task he admitted was easier said than done, he began planning the proposal around the time of her birthday.

“I wanted to do it as the clock hit midnight, marking the start of her birthday,” he recounted, adding that this mission would mean waking her from her slumber. But for some strange reason, the budding birthday girl refused to go to sleep at her usual early hour. When she eventually retired to bed, the father-daughter agents became smooth operators in executing the master plan

“With my daughter in tow, I got the ring and proceeded to the bedroom. When she saw my daughter and I enter the room, she looked at me suspiciously. My daughter was recording as I sat on the bed next to Juzzel, gave a little preamble about how much she meant to me, and then pulled out the ring. She was in disbelief, giggling uncontrollably. I asked her to marry me and she said ‘yes!’ ”

Juzzel was in complete shock, especially because Andrew had told her that he wasn’t getting her a gift this time around.

With the help of close family members and friends, pooling their resources and skills together, the bride-to-be said the wedding planning process was both tiring and exciting.

On December 23, 2023, just two days before Christmas, Andrew and Juzzel joined hands and hearts in holy matrimony at Linstead Gospel Hall in St Catherine. The reception took place at Biter’s Garden Restaurant in Bog Walk.

“Our wedding was short, spicy and intimate. The best moment of the wedding was walking up the aisle,” the blushing bride recalled. As for the handsome groom, the wedding was off to a late start, but seeing his love walking towards him “…was worth every minute I had to wait. When I met her in the aisle, she had tears running down her face. I consoled her with a kiss on the cheek before we made our way to the pastor. My favourite moment, easily, is when she first appeared at the top of her march, so beautiful, so poised.”

To cement their union, the newly-weds shared a romantic first dance as husband and wife to With You by Tony Terry. “At that moment in the wedding, it felt like it was just the two of us in the entire room,” Mrs Dennis added

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com