Date: August 8th, 1996
Location: The Keepleft


It was such a bright, sunny day in our busy little town. I was standing at the roundabout (keepleft).I was on my way to the supermarket, but I was a bit nervous crossing the road. I was looking for someone to cross, so I could follow them when I heard a voice behind me; hello, brownin. The way I spun around to see this handsome man with a glint in his eye. I asked him with attitude, are you speaking to me? I was stunned, but intrigued. He said, I just wanted to tell you that you captured me without a fight... I crossed the road, leaving him behind to look at me.


Three days later, would you believe, I ran into this man again, and the first thing out of his mouth was so are you going to give me a chance in this lifetime?


Over the next year and a half we spent time together, getting to know him, beginning to love him as much as my little girl Monique did. The way she took to him warmed my heart in a way I didnt know was possible. But, as always, life got in the way.


Too soon, we went our separate ways; Carlton to the UK, and I stayed in Jamaica. When he was leaving, I decided to end things then and there. Long distance? In the 90s?! Too much for me! I tucked him away in a part of my heart and tried to move on. A year passed, and Carlton returned, coming straight to my house. I tried to stay strong, but seeing him for the first time in a year... Who am I to fight love? It just felt like faith kept pushing us together.


But, just like how we had to part the first time, Carlton left for the UK once more. We lived our lives separately for years, until one day, Carlton went in search for me and found Monique on Facebook. Monique (my girl loves a good set up) gave Carlton my number, and we reconnected once more. Even though time had passed, we picked up right where we left off. I still loved him after all, and he made it apparent that he never stopped loving me.


In 2018 we decided to start our lives together, but I had terms and conditions. Carlton, of course, had other ideas.


In 2023 Carlton came to me and told me he was ready for us to get married, for me to be his wife, for us to finish what we started. Now, in 2024, we are solidifying our love, choosing each other again and we want to commemorate our love in the same place he caught my attention all those years ago.


Who knew in this lifetime God, our faith, and our strong love for one another would keep pushing us together all these years? Decades have passed, but our love is our history.