Answered prayers lead Antonett and David to wedded ‘Green’ pastures

It is customary for Antonett Dunkley and David Green to spend Sundays renewing their faith in the house of the Lord. Both rooted in the parish of Portland, the two crossed paths while attending the same church in Kingston. This serendipitous turn saw fate align and timing conspire to unite the hearts of these strangers-turned-soulmates in wedded green pastures.

“I came from Portland and started attending Mountain View Church of God of Prophecy. I was there for a few years and then David became the keyboardist there,” Antonett shared with Island Wedding.

David chimed in, noting that he was sent to the church to fill in for someone on keyboard. Antonett, a worship leader at the time, took to the stage in song, and he was captivated by her angelic voice. “She did an item, and when I heard her sing for the first time, it sparked my interest. She has the most beautiful voice,” he revealed.

Their respective roles in church required them to interact and work closely together. But despite David’s best efforts to get to know Antonett better, his gestures initially went unreciprocated.

“We would discuss songs for service and rehearse together. But he used to message me all the time, and I’m terrible at that, so I didn’t respond. Then one day at rehearsal, he said he has been trying so long to get my attention and I have not been giving him the time of day,” she shared.

Antonett, feeling remorseful, admitted this flaw and worked to improve her communication.

This turnaround brought them even closer, “After all the messages, calls, and getting to know her more, I realised that she was the one I wanted to spend my life with,” David added.

So he went ahead and made their relationship official by asking her to be his girlfriend during a romantic picnic date.

“He asked me to be his girlfriend at Devon House. He was so sweet and romantic. And he was also nervous. He had bought me a necklace which symbolised our love. He played a song. And he added a picture to it. It was so cute. It said, ‘Will you be my girlfriend?’ From that day, we were official,” Antonett recounted.

Blown away by his talent, she is also amazed at how kind, compassionate, and genuine her beloved is.

“He portrayed this bad-guy persona initially, but as I got to know him, I realised that he was tender-hearted, very caring, and kind. He would always check on me. He was just very sensitive towards me, so that drew me even closer to him,” she highlighted.

He stands proudly as a big motivator in her life, holding her accountable, getting her out of her comfort zone and pushing her toward her best self.

“He has pushed me musically to sing more at different events. And he has nurtured our relationship spiritually. We have some days of prayers where we read the word.” She pointed out.

Additionally, Antonett has admired the safe space David has created for her to be herself, “Sometimes I say the weirdest things. Sometimes I offload. I can just say what’s on my mind and in my heart. I know that he’s listening. He is patient with me, and he doesn’t ever give the feeling that it is too much.”

Aside from her enchanting beauty, David remains mesmerised by her talent, intellect, and faithfulness

“She [has] made significant contributions to my personal growth. How I dress initially was a no for her,” he said with a laugh, adding, “She let me realise I wasn’t a boy but a man. And she taught me that however I dress is how people will perceive me. They will not see me beyond the exterior. She has also helped me to become more spiritually disciplined.”

As a couple, the pair enjoys music, movies, engaging in unfiltered laughter, and going on culinary adventures. After knowing each other for close to two years and courting for almost one, David took the step of asking Antonett to be his wife.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

One evening, the couple returned to the place of their first date, The Blue Window Restaurant at The Jamaica Pegasus. Antonett explained that it was a big deal for her to be back where it all began with her partner in love.

She didn’t realise it was a proposal only that close friends and family were present. But in that moment, she felt just how deeply she was his person.

“We had a little one-on-one before the proposal, and that was the big part for me where he helped me and let me know that everything would have been okay. Comforting me throughout that time, I felt at ease with him and very loved,” she said.

David admitted that the proposal didn’t go according to plan, “but it was still successful because of the love we had for each other and the support of our friends and family”.

Newly engaged, Antonett received assistance in planning her wedding from her maid of honour, Deborah Richards, as well as other family members and friends, “The planning process was hard, but people really came around and helped us in more ways than one, giving ideas and suggestions and making financial contributions. The kind gestures were greatly appreciated.”

The duo initially began their wedding venue search in Kingston, but after discovering the prices, they switched gears to honour their roots.

On May 15, David and Antonett were joined in holy matrimony in a gorgeous garden wedding ceremony at the Rafters Rest in St Margaret’s Bay, Portland.

Revealing that the wedding was the best day of his life, the dashing groom was awestruck watching his beautiful bride walk up the aisle to the tune of Goodness of God by CeCe Winans. “She was the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. I had to give her some lyrics in my vows.”

The stunning bride felt deeply loved as her suave groom grew emotional, watching her radiant walk down the aisle.

“I didn’t think he would get emotional. He has never really been an emotional person. So when I walked up the aisle and saw this man crying, I was shocked. He couldn’t wait to hold me, and it was very sweet seeing him show his feelings,” she said.

The Lord’s presence was another meaningful part of both their ceremony and reception.

“I remember saying beforehand, ‘Lord, I want you to show up at my wedding in the way you showed up at that wedding in the Bible and did a big show. I want people to experience You, Your hand, and Your love.’ And that was what literally happened. The spirit of the Lord was there. And invited guests kept saying how they felt blessed. It was an amazing experience,” Mrs Dunkley-Green reflected.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com