From direct message to soldiers in love

When Odaine Jackson first came across Mellisha McCrae’s profile on Instagram, he was captivated by her beauty. Wanting to get to know her better, he took a chance and slid into her direct messages. Mellisha, a soldier, recalled seeing this during her busy season, but decided to respond to the handsome stranger. After a month of communication, the two met in person, and two years later, they became the Jacksons.

“Initially, I thought he was a sweet, quiet guy. He was romantic, loving and attentive, a great listener, and his actions were really focused on making me feel good,” Mellisha told Island Wedding.

Odaine was touched from the get-go by the depth of their conversations. “When we started talking, we spoke about our greatest fear. Her greatest fear was not living a fulfilled life, while mine was failing to reach my full potential, and not having my parents here to see it. And we connected so much in that conversation.”

After consistent communication, Mellisha was about to leave for military school for two months and decided to meet Odaine face-to-face. When they saw each other for the first time, it was all smiles, and Odaine left her house eager to see her again.

Upon her graduation and return home, they went on their first date to Philippe Chow in Manhattan. There, sparks flew as the twin flames smiled all night.

As time grew on, so too did their love, progressing from platonic to romantic. “Speaking about similar principles and values, she motivated me to become a better person. She is a rare gem. And it brought me so much joy [in] speaking to her. The more I spoke with her, the more I yearned for her. I couldn’t let anyone else steal that joy of mine.” So on August 19, 2022, he asked Mellisha to be his girlfriend.

Since then, Mellisha has come to appreciate how honest, attentive, decisive, resolute, and romantic Odaine is. He listens to her, even when she isn’t speaking, and always tends to her needs. He holds himself accountable and is quick to correct himself, ensuring their relationship stays smooth, protected, and full of love and joy.

NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

“Adding a sense of calm to my world, he has taught her to soak up moments, experiences and people in this fast-paced world. He shows me how much I mean to him with different romantic gestures daily. Knowing what he wants, he will not rest until he gets it. He met me, wanted me, ensured that I became his, and has maintained that ever since. I am his number one priority and from our initial stage of communication, he told me that he will make me his wife,” she revealed.

Seeing how beautiful, motivational, genuine, straightforward, and caring Mellisha is has inspired Odaine to become a better version of himself. With family as her priority, he admires how much she has brought life to their relationship.

“Everything she does comes from a genuine and caring place. She is my priority and she reciprocates that energy, making sure that I am being loved the way I know how to receive it. I learnt to give love in ways I did not know how to before her.”

Their romantic adventures have ranged from movies and restaurants to exploring new activities and places together, with home being their favourite spot to relax.

Their defining moment came when Odaine went off to military training for a few months early in their relationship. Being away from Mellisha showed him just how much she truly cared for him, “She supported and motivated me through the tough times while I was away, sending me letters and speaking to me when it was allowed. This motivated me to complete my training and go home to her. She even supported my family like they were her own while I was away. That’s when I knew she was meant for me.”

For Mellisha, he made sure his presence was felt throughout his absence. “I didn’t feel lonely one bit. He wrote me letters that tugged at my heartstrings. After just meeting me and barely knowing me in the physical to always saying, ‘I will make you my wife’, I started to say that man will be my husband to everyone.”

Odaine kept his promise one year after meeting Mellisha, asking the love of his life to be his wife in a rose petal-infused engagement.

After giving her flowers, the pair headed out for dinner to Ocean Prime restaurant in New York City. But halfway through the journey, Odaine discovered the most important piece of the proposal puzzle was missing. “I had to turn around to go get the ring, and I couldn’t tell her what it was that I had left behind. I made up a lie so it didn’t raise any suspicions.”

He continued, “After dinner, I told her I had something else planned, but first we had to check in at a hotel I had booked for us. I told her we were spending the night in the city and I had packed her overnight bag. This made her beautiful smile take the spotlight. I had coordinated with her friends to have someone decorate a room I reserved in the Hard Rock Hotel and booked her own personal photographer.”

“Making up an excuse about struggling with both our bags, she opened the door. Her photographer got her first reaction of seeing the room decorated and her seeing the ‘Will You Marry Me’ balloons and photos of us on the bed. I dropped our bags on the floor, went on one knee, confessed my love for her and asked her to marry me, to which she said yes,” he said.

DESTINATION WEDDING

Giving their guests a year to prepare for their nuptials, the engaged couple planned a destination wedding in Jamaica. Working with a travel agency, they were also assigned wedding planners Natasha Matthews and Tamika Shield, who did a phenomenal job.

On September 19, these soldiers in love tied the knot at Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Montego Bay, St James. “The wedding was spectacular,” the groom shared, adding that they felt all the love and support from their loved ones. “Our wedding was so good it went viral. Thanks to the DJ, emcee and wedding planner.”

His favourite moment came when seeing Mellisha for the first in her wedding dress walking up the aisle. “She was nothing short of breathtaking. I almost lost my composure watching her walk towards me. I will always remember that moment.” This also stood out as his bride’s best wedding moment, along with hearing her groom’s vows, “They were so good and meaningful. I was ready to ugly-cry from his words.”

The newly-weds went on to have their first dance to Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com