A decade down, a lifetime to go

When Lamona West and Gregory Minto first met on Facebook, they had no idea they had already been socialising in the same circle years prior. In a twist of fate, while visiting Lamona’s community, Gregory told her family he would marry her someday – and he fulfilled his promise a decade later.

Gregory recalled first laying eyes on Lamona on February 20, 2015. According to her secret admirer, the then 19-year-old was wearing a blue jeans skirt and a white blouse with black sea anchors.

“I initially thought she was very beautiful and kept wondering how it was that we’ve never met before. She literally came to my yard to visit family while I was living in Norbook. She came next door to my house while I was in Arnett Gardens and we both worked on the compound of the Agricultural Marketing Corporation during the same year. She was my mystery woman and I wanted to find out more about her,” he told Island Wedding.

As time went on, his intrigue developed into deeper love.

Lamona, who was amused by that initial encounter, did confess to finding Gregory attractive. “I thought he was cute at the time and I still find him to be very handsome. He was just a bit too quiet. But that’s because he doesn’t speak much,” she revealed.

For the first date, the pair went for ice cream down by the waterfront in downtown Kingston. “It was very romantic. We laughed a lot and we had quite a bit of bonding time. That opened our hearts wider for each other,” she shared.

Wasting no time, the two officially became a couple two months later.

Since then, Lamona has marvelled at how romantic, ambitious, caring, loving and humble Gregory is. “He’s very charming, a go-getter and spontaneous when it comes to thinking outside of the box. I love that he is a man of God. He’s more on the calm side while I’m more expressive,” she said.

As a partner, Gregory continues to build her confidence, motivating her to expand her business mindset, “He pushes us to resolve any conflict we may have and finds ways to make our love stronger.”

Radiating beauty, Lamona is not only ambitious and motivating, she is also loving and compassionate in the eyes of her beloved.“She has been my backbone throughout my life’s journey. My biggest supporter in everything I do, she has nurtured the relationship with a lot of love and romance, which keeps the fire and desire burning bright,” he revealed.

He realised that she was the one when, “...I couldn’t move a muscle without her. If she’s not near, I can’t function; she’s my soulmate. I also got confirmation from God.”

So after courting for nine years, he made the bold move asking the love of his life to be his wife.

After getting his hands on the perfect ring, Gregory decided to pop the question on Lamona’s birthday. “I kept telling the whole family I was going to propose from the year before. Because I’m always joking, no one believed me. I’m not a man of many words nor do I like public speaking. And I was very nervous. But she had a birthday dinner and I believed that was the best time to pop the question.” And when he did, she happily said yes.

Reflecting on her engagement, she appreciated that her fiancé not only invited the right people, but stepped out of his comfort zone in his proposal.

For the planning aspect of the wedding, Lamona enlisted Octavia’s Doll House and Events to make their nuptial dreams a beautiful reality. Using Pinterest for inspiration, the bride-to-be customised her wedding dress.

Although the desire was to tie the knot on their 10th anniversary, the loving couple said ‘I do’ in an enchanting ceremony a week later on February 27 at Caymanas Golf Club in St Catherine.

The dapper groom revealed that the wedding was simply magical, “I loved everything, especially the entrance of my wife. I was super nervous as I hadn’t seen her in 24 hours, which, for me, is very long. Our wedding was all I hoped for.”

As for the beautiful bride, the wedding was so beautiful and luxurious, just as she had imagined, “My husband looked very handsome and my bridal party delivered in the way I expected. My wow moment came during those intimate moments I shared with my husband, knowing that we made it to the altar after so many years and we’re still very much in love.”

For their first dance, the newly-weds danced to You’re Still The One by Shania Twain, Matrimony by Wale and Usher and First Time by Teeks.

“It was a beautiful feeling sharing the dance floor with my husband. I fell in love all over again as each song described our years we shared,” Mrs Minto reminisced.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com