Royalton White Sands Resort

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

"We met online" has become somewhat of an expected answer to the common question of "how did you guys meet?" these days. But that doesn't mean that mine and Charles' story isn't a unique one. Charles' original online profile intrigued me because of his broad, handsome smile and the manner in which he explained his true passion in life. I admit, I did email him first but come to find out it's a good thing I did because he confessed he doesn't normally initiate conversations. We only exchanged a hand full of messages before I told him I wasn't interested in wasting time on fake online chemistry. He agreed and we decided to meet for lunch at Shula Burger in Orlando. He says he still remembers what I wore that day. I just remember a tall, dark, and handsome man waiting inside at the restaurant and was so relieved it was him. We talked for a couple of hours, ate our burgers, and enjoyed eachother's company. Who knew that we would be here two and half years later. Throughout the years we have learned so much about one another. Charles is even keel. I am easily excitable. Charles is musical. I am sporty. Charles is not a morning person. I am up and ready to go at 6am. I used to fret about how unlike one another we are. But, it's amazing how God knows exactly what type of person you need and places that person in your life at exactly the right moment. Two and a half years later we have grown exponentially as individuals and as a couple. We have enjoyed discovering new places with one another and pushing each other outside our comfort zones. We have been to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. We have also been on several trips within the United States including Washington D.C., Philadelphia (Go Eagles!), Atlanta, Detroit, Scaly Mountain (North Carolina), and numerous weekend getaways within Florida. When we first started discussing marriage we both were in agreement that a destination wedding would reflect our personalities and relationship in the best way. We had the most amazing stay in Jamaica in 2017 and are excited to share our love of this laid back country with our friends and family!!!

Not just another "met online" story

Our Story

Details

It's been an ongoing joke about how I view my girlfriends as sisters. However, it's not a joke with Kimberly. This girl truly is my sister. We met in college as freshman on the softball team. Teammates turned into friends turned into roommates and then sisters. We have been through fractured bones, cross country moves, career changes, broken hearts, and everything in between. I could not get married to the love of my life without her by my side through it all. She has been and will always be one of the most important people in my life. Cannot wait to share this experience with her!! 

Kimberly Jacobson

So crazy how close you can become to someone in such a short time. Theresa and I became friends in nursing school over numerous charts, flash cards, and study group meet ups. I admired so much about her and that is what instantly drew me to her. Theresa is a God-fearing woman. She is the most wonderful example of what a wife, sister, daughter, friend, and nurse should be. I have always enjoyed our conversations over lunch at a location she found using her "foodie-sense." She is passionate in all aspects of her life, an active member of her church, one of the best crafters I have ever met, and a genuinely wonderful person. I am so lucky to call her my friend and look forward to creating more memories with her and her husband Carter!!! 

Theresa Munroe

Jaime says she remembers the day we became friends. She claims we were both working a long stretch of nights at the front of our unit.  She incessantly teases me because I don't remember this. I just always remember being friends with her. I recall sharing common interests in working out (T25 and more recently, yoga), good food (especially cookies and ice cream), crafting, vacationing, and date nights (hello Orlando date night guide). We always seem to have something new to talk about! Jaime and her husband, Chris,  have been there every step of the way for Charles and I. We have enjoyed many date nights with them and look forward to many more as old married couples! 

Jaime Culver

Did you know that a pair of shoes could initiate a friendship that spans more than a decade? Believe it or not, a pair of Nike shoes would spark mine and Barbie's friendship. I was the new kid at our very small, private high school with only 47 in our graduating class. Most of the people who went there had known each other since kindergarten. Barbie and another one of our friends, Kristen, were obsessed with N'SYNC. So obsessed they knew exactly what shoes they wore and I happened to be wearing them at school. Thank goodness because we would be inseparable for the next 4 years. We have kept in touch through college and now family life. She has the most beautiful family with two gorgeous daughters  and I am so excited to share in the journey of marriage with her like she did with me!!

Barbie Hall

Hey! My name is Joe! I'll never forget this interaction.&nbsp;How many 12 year olds actually walk up to another and introduce themselves with no fear?To an introvert, like me, I was amazed by this. Me and Joe were polar opposites from day one. I found him to be funny, crazy, weird and slightly obnoxious, to be honest, yet extremely intelligent, although he always tried to hide it. A funny thing happened though. We had every class together from 7th-9th grade&nbsp;and it didn't take me long to love the kid. Joe is the most dedicated friend I could ever ask for and has always known exactly what to say to keep my spirits up. In over 20 years of friendship there's no&nbsp;one I would&nbsp;rather have&nbsp;to be my co-best man. 

Joe Wallace 

Few kids have an old soul.&nbsp;Arthur was always ahead of his time.&nbsp;As a 6th grader he was in all honors classes which means he was in the same classes as me and Joe even though we were a year ahead of him. It was same thing with band.&nbsp;Arthur was the smartest kid in every class.&nbsp;&nbsp;I'll never forget&nbsp;the first time I tried alcohol,&nbsp;in middle school,&nbsp;and I felt horrible about it. I confided in Arthur about it&nbsp;and he looked me square in the eye and said "So,&nbsp;why did you do it then?" The absurdity of a 12 year old asking why a 13 year old would take his first drink&nbsp;didn't really hit me until I got older.&nbsp;Twenty years later, married with two gerber baby worthy children and&nbsp;he's still that old soul I can confide in and have my back no matter what. 

Arthur Adkins IV

I  have known Joffrey my entire life, since he is my cousin.&nbsp;I have  a lot of cousins but not many that I would consider to be one of my best friends. Joffrey and I became great friends when I started UCF. It was because of  Joffrey&nbsp;that I didn't starve to death, constantly getting hookups from papa johns. It was also because of Joffrey that&nbsp;I knew my way around Orlando before I even had a vehicle. I was with Joffrey when both of us&nbsp;almost cut are hands on Heineken bottles because we didn't understand the concept that certain beer bottles required a bottle cap opener&nbsp;and that all beers are not created equal. Joffrey and I have had many adventures, since then, and so have me and Heather with Joffrey and his wife, Christine. I can't wait to have yet another adventure in Jamaica, cousin.

Joffrey Heard 

Remember that time you saved my life?&nbsp;In case you don't, I'll remind you.&nbsp;It was&nbsp;late at night, me and my friend were in a bad neighborhood, we called and you delivered us from Evil. You and your brother&nbsp;are complete opposites.&nbsp;I love your rough edges and slighly redneck mentality&nbsp;because it's what makes you LJ. I know you&nbsp;and Marissa and your stepdaughter are looking forward to Jamaica and we can't wait to share it with you!!

LJ Heard

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

This is a service I have only seen provided in Jamaica. IT IS AMAZING and I highly recommend everyone use it upon arrival and departure to/from Jamaica. When you arrive to Jamaica, a representative from Club Mobay will meet you at the gate and lead you through customs, to the luggage claim, into a lounge where you can snack and drink until your transportation has been arranged. Additionally, when you leave you can sit in the club mobay lounge again and drink and eat until your flight is boarding!! They even announce over the intercom when the flights are boarding. This was nice because usually with arranged group travel you are taken to the airport at a crazy early time. So we were able to relax and enjoy some mimosas prior to our flight. Charles and I will definitely be using this service again! Best part.... $30/pp per way. Such a deal!

Club Mobay VIP Airport Lounge / VIP Attractions

Travel

Easily one of the most popular things to do in Jamaica. I went here during a cruise one time and had a blast. You literally start at the bottom of the falls (at the ocean!) and climb to the top of them while holding your tour group member's hands. However, it is a very popular activity so expect lots of crowds. This attraction is about an hour drive from Royalton White Sands. Don't forget your water shoes!!

Dunn's River Falls & Park

Also known as Secret Falls or Island Gully falls this Jamaican attraction allows you to hike, swim, jump off cliffs and swing into crystal clear blue water. Again, quite a distance from Montego Bay (about 2 hours and 15 mins). But, looks like it would be worth the drive.

Blue Hole Mineral Spring | Jamaica

Easily one of the most beautiful falls I have ever seen. A tour group takes you to the top of the falls where you can rope swing into the water (brrr!!) and take lots of pictures. You can get a massage from the cascading water as well! They have been renovating this park for a while and now have picnic tables placed all over the property with natural spring swimming pools to chill out and have a nice afternoon at. You can see some of the pictures from our wonderful time at YS falls. This would also be an all day trip because of the distance from Montego Bay (again, about 2 hours and 15 mins). Lots of resorts will couple this attraction with another. For instance, we did the YS falls in the morning and then went on a boat tour through the Black River in the afternoon.

YS Falls

Seven Mile Beach is considered to be the best beach in Jamaica. Crystal clear blue water with white pristine sand! Is truly is the most beautiful beach I have ever been to! About a 2 hour drive from Montego Bay.

Seven Mile Beach

This is a great "tourist attraction" and one of the things I wish Charles and I would have done while we were in Negril. We have heard mixed reviews from people who have actually been here and the reviews online. I just wish we could have experienced it for ourselves. At Rick's Cafe you can cliff dive into the ocean!!! You obviously don't have to. You can have dinner and watch the other cliff divers if you like. The view of a sunset here is insurmountable as well. Rick's Cafe also offers live music!

Rick's Cafe

Mayfield Falls is home to spectacular water adventure which includes two fantastic waterfalls and twenty-one natural spring pools which are ideal for swimming, swinging into the pools from a rope, jump off the cliffs as well as just relaxing. This excursion is about a 2 hour drive from Montego Bay.

Mayfield Falls

Want to zipline, bobsled, or take a chairlift to the top of a mountain? Maybe all 3? You can do all of these at Mystic Mountain located in Ocho Rios (only an hour from Montego Bay!!). Sounds like a pretty cool day!

Heather & Charles

Heather & Charles

Photos