Serving up love leads to lessons of romance and wedded bliss
Published:Tuesday | August 8, 2023 | 12:06 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Christina Webb was teaching at Edwin Allen High School in 2016 when she was introduced to the new chef, Romaine Davy. Asked by his mother to “look out for him” since he knew no one there, Romaine showed his gratitude by serving her love on every single plate.
“I thought he was shy and reserved at first. He was always respectful, jovial, genuine and always busy doing something in and around the kitchen. As I became more acquainted with him, this gentle giant of a man looked out for me, even when he did not need to. If he made natural juice, he would save my glass until lunchtime. Every Thursday, I would be present for lunch because he cooks the most delicious stew peas. I do not eat stew peas from people, but, from the first time I tried it, I was hooked,” an enthused Christina told Island Wedding.
For Romaine, it was great to have the “nice teacher lady” looking out for him.
“We spoke a little through our breakfast and lunchtime interactions and I really got the chance to see her caring side. I was out of school for two weeks and she asked my mom if I was okay. When I returned to school, she came and asked me herself and that showed what a gem this woman was,” he shared.
The two got to know each other better after finding jobs elsewhere and began expressing feelings that ran deeper than friendship. The first date took place at Buttonwood Tree at Frenchman Bay. Romaine was an employee with Treasure Beach at the time, and Christina recalled the two getting creative for the occasion.
“The first date didn’t go as planned. His boss refused to give him the day off and we had to improvise,” she admitted. Christina drove down to Treasure Beach from Kingston and he brought her to the Buttonwood Tree at Frenchman Bay, “It was wholesome seeing him in his natural element. For a country man who grew up around rivers, it was evident he was in love with the sea. We spent the day under that tree talking and laughing, enjoying well-earned together time after months of talking on the phone.”
By May of 2020, the two made things official.
“We grew into each other naturally over a period of months. I was the first one to say ‘I love you’. After that, we established a relationship,” Romaine shared.
Still marvelling at his passion for the kitchen, Christina was equally enchanted by his resilience, patience, understanding, as well as hard-working, loving and supportive nature.
“Romaine’s passion for the kitchen is truly inspirational. He works diligently to hone his skills as a chef. As a partner, he is dedicated and there is no mistaking his affections for me. I could not have asked for better in a husband and friend. He is Africa’s peak, a mountain laden with gold and precious jewels.”
Romaine continues to be mesmerised by his beloved’s inner and outer beauty, passion and drive. “Christina is a team player and a go-getter with a passion for accomplishing her goals. My biggest cheerleader and motivator, she will intuitively know that something is bothering me and show her support. I have grown a lot and she has brought peace and direction to my life.”
‘She said yes again!’
Christina always knew that Romaine was the one but, after seeing his support when she had an event to execute in December 2022, she knew unequivocally that this was love. For him, the feeling was mutual. He initially asked her to marry him in November of 2021 after more than a year into courting, and officially proposed in January 2023.
The pair own and operate a business together called Buttonwood Tree Planners and Caterers, which offers luxury picnics. For the proposal, Romaine made the arrangements in-house and laid out a beautiful spread at Hope Gardens.
“I needed her dressed in white so I told her I had planned an outing that evening and she should wear blue jeans and a white top. We had a picnic table, table setting for two, a tepee tent and the mini MARRY ME lit letters. When she arrived at the location, I dropped down on one knee and asked her if she would marry me. She said yes again!”
Similar to the proposal, the wedding planning was done in-house, but Christina took the reigns this time around, bringing their nuptial visions to a stunning reality. As for the wedding dress, the bride-to-be said yes to a gorgeous lace, fitted gown paired with a signature viper and cathedral lace veil from Bliss Bridal Boutique.
On June 11, under the theme, Garden meets the Sea, the breathtaking bride, Christina, and the debonair groom, Romaine, said ‘I do’ in an intimate and elegant wedding ceremony at the Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in Ocho Rios, St Ann.
“The wedding was more than I had hoped for. My family was so supportive. Walking into that ceremony singing a song that meant so much to us as a couple, and having rewritten the second verse so that it spoke specifically to us as a couple was one of the most meaningful experiences of the day. Seeing my African King, the rib from whom I came, teary-eyed as I walked up the aisle, is a feeling I will forever treasure.”
The groom had this to say about the big day, “It was beautiful. My best moment was the vows. I was overwhelmed with emotions; I couldn’t even put the vow book in my back pocket. My best man took it and I instead poured my heart out to her that day before both our families.”
At the reception, the newlyweds shared their first dance as husband and wife to I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You by Kina Grannis.