Matchmakers spark romantic flame for Shaman and Vanessa Sutherland

Much like the moonlight serves as a matchmaker for the stars, family and friends became the ideal matchmakers for Vanessa Nunise and Shaman Sutherland. The duo first met in May 2014 through Shaman’s brother and Vanessa’s friend. Their double date took the quartet on a journey to St Thomas, where the strangers got to know each other better. They entered a relationship soon after, but broke up two years later. However, all hope was not lost. Three years later, Shaman made a surprise call that would change the course of their hearts back to each other. With visions of a rekindled romance clear by 2020, the two became one in an intimate wedding ceremony in February.

“I was living in Spanish Town with my friend at the time, who convinced me that the both of us should go home to St Thomas for the weekend to meet up with him,” Vanessa explained to Island Wedding about their first encounter.

She wasn’t as eager as her friend to take the trip, but she went along for the ride anyway. “He came and picked us up in Morant Bay, and we went to Prospect, where he was living at the time. When we met, I was like, ‘Okay, him nuh hard fi look pan,’” she said with a laugh, making special mention of his nice chocolate-tone skin.

What happened next that evening at the beach still amazes her, even after all these years. “Walking down to the beach, he held my hand. We were chatting and laughing away like we knew each other for ages. He has such an inviting aura and he’s such a child at heart; that completely caught me off guard,” she added.

His winning personality, zeal for life, and warmth of heart charmed her even more.

Shaman, who was immediately struck by Vanessa’s beauty, became even more fascinated by their connection. “We hit it off almost immediately and we were together for two years, until we broke up because I was young and dumb. I thought I was living my best life at the time, only to end up losing the most valuable thing I had,” he confessed.

After realising that Vanessa was completely out of his life and wanted nothing to do with him, Shaman became determined not only to regain her good graces, but also to win her heart again.

“In 2019, the phone rang and when I answered the phone, to my surprise, it was Shaman on the line. He told me that he prayed about us, that he has changed, and that he regretted what happened between us. He also proceeded to tell me I was going to be his, that I was going to move back to St Thomas and we were going to live together,” Vanessa, who was living in Montego Bay at that time, said.

As she listened, she told herself that this ship had sailed, and there was no turning back. But little by little, her captain navigated his way back into her life. “She laughed at me at first, but I knew she was going to be mine again because I prayed about it, and I’m a man of faith. When COVID-19 came, she decided to come back to St Thomas and I saw the perfect opportunity. I offered to help her move. She was sad, but I assured her that it would pass and things would be okay. She still shut me down, but I never gave up. With time and a lot of hard work, she gave me a chance, and I thank God every day [that] she did,” he highlighted

Impressed by his resilience, Vanessa continues to love just how compassionate, genuine, ambitious and God-fearing her soulmate is. “He allows me to be my authentic self and be in my femininity; to be strong, but also be vulnerable. He is one of my biggest cheerleaders and motivators through all my wins and losses. He encourages me to push through even when I want to throw in the towel. As my safe place, he makes me feel protected, and he works very hard to provide for his family,” the mother of two shared.

Besides her enchanting beauty, Shaman admires his beloved’s courageous, protective and nurturing side. “She is extraordinary. She has encouraged and pushed me to not only be a better person, but to believe in myself more and get things done. She has helped me to communicate more, she has [allowed] me to realise my dreams and aided in bringing them to full fruition. The Bible says, ‘ He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord’. She is my backbone. She sees past all my imperfections and mistakes and chooses to love me. I know I’m very blessed to have her in my life.”

SHE SAID ‘YES!’

After knowing each other for over a decade, and officially dating for four years, Shaman asked Vanessa to be his wife. The special moment happened while guests were on their last game of the night, with Vanessa taking part. “They tied a handkerchief over her eyes. When she took it off and turned around, I was down on one knee, asking her to marry me. She said yes!”

On February 7, Vanessa and Shaman had a beautiful, private ceremony with close family and friends at the Registrar General’s Department on Duke Street in Kingston.

The groom remained in awe, noting that his twin flame was the most beautiful bride. “The wedding was very intimate and beautiful, filled with little moments of jokes and laughter in-between. A few tears here and there, but all in all, the genuine love and support was felt throughout the entire ceremony, which was the best moment for us,” the glowing bride reflected.

The newly-weds went on to partake in an official wedding photo shoot at Hope Gardens, only to receive a precious gift.“We were getting some beautiful shots when, in the middle of everything, I started having contractions, ” Mrs Nunise-Sutherland said. Although she was heavily pregnant at the time, Vanessa chalked up her symptoms to false labour and managed to finish the session. She then cancelled all other plans and headed to the hospital.

Their baby boy was born three days later, on February 10.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com