The Wilsons wed after a decade of love

When the time comes for two soulmates to meet, nothing can stand in the way of that destiny. Jhoenea Williams and Damion Wilson first met on Facebook in 2013. Jhoenea was intrigued by Damion’s intellect when he commented on her posts. Once he slid into her FB Messenger, she was happy to give him her number. Meeting face-to-face a year later sparked an insatiable desire for each other. However, the couple didn’t make things official or say ‘I do’ until a decade later.

“Although we had this beautiful connection, we only decided to go into a relationship in June this year on my birthday,” Jhoenea told Island Wedding.

Damion remembered her beauty standing out on screen 10 years ago. He often visited her page on the social media platform, noting, “She would’ve made some relatable posts and I would have shared my views, which sparked the beginning of intriguing conversations. I found her to be beautiful, incredibly intelligent and easy-going,” he shared.

After messaging back and forth between 2013 and 2014, she invited Damion to visit her at home in Westmoreland. Even though he had to travel all the way from St James, he didn’t hesitate. “Our first date was spent sitting outside in the dark, stargazing and watching the solar bodies, peacefully enjoying the night’s cool air. We spoke until almost daylight,” Jhoenea said.

She recounted how charming he was, but confessed that past trauma hindered her from taking that leap of faith. “He was the sweetest, well-mannered, polite and respectful man. However, to me, he just wasn’t as strong in my sight. Maybe because I was going through a terrible break-up and was unhealed. Nevertheless, he possessed all the qualities of a man any woman would need in life.”

By the time her birthday rolled around this year, Damion knew he couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to officially make Jhoenea his girlfriend, “During her birthday earlier this year, I was certain that I couldn’t let her go.”

With his well-spoken, considerate, smart, strong and charismatic demeanour, Jhoenea’s interest grew, and so too did her love for him.

“Since we’ve known each other, he has encouraged and guided me in so many ways, especially with my finances. Together, we’ve acquired properties, businesses and investments,” she said, adding, “What I enjoy the most about our relationship is the way our conversations flow. We are able to complete each other’s sentences and understand each other’s pain and silence. We enjoy planning and discussing our future together. And he has taken the time to love and care for me in ways that have healed my hurting soul.”

She did, however, admit that it took going through postpartum together for her to recognise that he was the one. “After all these years, it wasn’t until last year, after giving birth, that I truly realised that he was the one. The way he showed up for all appointments and cared for me once I had the C-section and through my sickness. The way he’d hold the baby. He was everything. He has never missed a single event for me or the girls,” she highlighted.

In awe of Jhoenea’s intellect, resilience and passion, he sees her stubborn and cunning side. Also, he appreciates how much she has reaffirmed the importance of being one’s true self at all times, “She has shown incredible magnanimity throughout this relationship; for this, I will forever be indebted to her. The moment I had almost lost her, I knew she was the one for me. And I dedicated everything, asking God to guide me every day in order to be the right man for her.”

WASTED NO TIME

Two months after finally achieving boyfriend-girlfriend status, Damion wasted no time in making an upgrade, asking the love of his life to be his wife. “Unfortunately, planning engagements and all that mushy stuff is not my forte. I simply asked her while hugging her and staring into her beautiful brown eyes, ‘Will you marry me?’ I asked with wavering confidence, which was only strengthened by her beautiful smile, captivating eyes, and the fact that she said yes.”

Since nature has provided the perfect backdrop for their soul-soothing adventures, it came as no surprise that the two would ride on the waves of love and become one in a beautiful beach ceremony. The bride and groom were declared husband and wife on October 5 at Whistling Bird Resort in Negril. The black-and-white-themed wedding, with a splash of lavender, was absolutely perfect in the newly-weds’ eyes.

“The best moment was seeing the glow in my husband’s eyes and the way he illuminates radiance in the sunshine. I’ve never seen him so joyful. That made me feel an added peace just knowing that I was the reason for his happiness. After all we’ve been through, we got our happily ever after,” Mrs Wilson added.

As for Mr Wilson, the real highlight of his nuptials came during the honeymoon.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com