When it comes to LOVE, well we all know Iam a sucker for it. I never met these two until two days before their wedding. Darnell is one of MJ (MJ is my boyfriend for those who don't know) good friends so when he told me we where going to Jamaica for his friend wedding, Of course I said Yes. From the time I met them, it felt like I knew them for a very long time. They are the sweetest couple, they didn't make me feel uncomfortable at all. As I watched them to the very moment they said "I do", I knew I wanted to share their love story and inspire someone to not give up on LOVE.
It was December in 2011 to be exact in Richmond, Virginia where they were introduced to each other. It was brief, they shook hands and went about their business, having no idea that was the start to their love story. It wasn't until January 2012 while Darnell was visiting a mutual friend in Virginia, they stopped by Christine house with a couple friends. Christine and Darnell were attracted to each other at first sight, sending subliminal flirting hints to each other amongst their friends being there. It felt like two people trying to flirt without their friends noticing but they couldn't resist each other.
They were friends for a year and three months before they began a relationship. Darnell proposed 8months later (the day after Thanksgiving) at Madame Tussaud's in Times Square which is located in New York City amongst her parents and family. Darnell got down on one knee on the 9th floor or the "Oval Office". Christine didn't know what was going on at all but when she realized she started crying while she said YES!. Darnell was so nervous, that he put the ring on the wrong hand.
Relationships Aren't Perfect, I wanted to know what is one thing that kept them going?! What is one thing that they could tell other couples to keep going when it gets tough. When they first met they built a foundation of their friendship. They would like to think of each other as partners and that they can accomplish many things when they work together.
What makes him/her special? What made you realize he/she was the one for you? I asked next. The more Darnell got to know Christine the more he knew why he was so drawn to her. Not only did he think she was beautiful on the outside, she was a beautiful person from the inside out. Her mind surpassed his expectations. They both wanted to grab life by the horns and live out loud. He loved the way she was family oriented, and he admired the relationship she had with her father. It was the same exact way Darnell was with his mother and how he wanted it to be with his daughter. He never looked forward to marriage until he found his Queen, He felled in love with her soul and knew he couldn't live without her.
When meeting Darnell it was very clear that he was spontaneous and loved to travel, Christine said. At this time she had never left the country, but Darnell was the one who encouraged her to get a passport and took her on her very first trip to Jamaica. What makes Darnell very special to her is how he does his very best to show her new things and make sure that she is taken care of as daddy's little girl, it brought much happiness to her knowing that Darnell tried his best to make her the happiest girl in the world just as her father has.
( Christine & Her Father)
I was very ecstatic to be there for their special day, from beginning to end it was absolutely beautiful. I have to say one of the best weddings I've been to, it is definitely in my top 3 of favorite weddings. What made it more magical, it was in Jamaica. I wanted to know every detail from why they picked to have a destination wedding, details on the tuxedo/dress and if they would change anything about that night.
They were engaged for about a year and a half, in which the wedding planning happened on and off. Initially, they picked to have a destination wedding as a way of budgeting, they both have large families so if they had decided to plan the wedding in NY, it would've been over 200 guest and a large bill (Good Thinking). They definitely didn't want to start their marriage in debt. They saved a lot of money doing it abroad with approximately 80 guest and Christine decided to make and bring as many items as possible to Jamaica with them to save even more money. They brought everything from center pieces and wedding favors to sky lanterns with them. As Christine being a teacher, her creativity came out so she created activity books for the kids table.
They got many ideas from Pinterest and ordered products and customized them with the help of their close family members. The wedding was delayed an hour because of weather but after the rain stopped everything went just as they had planned. Their families had an amazing time, Oh Yes We Did!!! The suits for Darnell groomsmen and himself were tailor-made from Coree Le, a tailor in Iteawon, South Korea. All of their names were stitched in their suit jackets, their shoes were classic double monk strap by Cole Haan. Darnell suit was green to represent his late mother and his favorite color. A seat was also reserved for her at the front of the ceremony.
Christine's dress was by Mori Lee, purchased at a bridal salon in New York, Her shoes were by her favorite designer, Kate Spade. The bridesmaid dresses were from David's Bridal. The special part of the night was how both families got on the dance floor and had the time of their lives. After worrying all week, it was a great feeling to see how everything they had planned come together so perfectly (after hearing all the wedding horror stories) "it was the best day of our lives", they said. I have to agree, it was truly one of the best days of my life and it was even more special because I got to share it with my love. I would have to say the BEST part of the night was at the end when we was all given sky lanterns to light up at the beach to let it fly in the air. It was my very first time doing it and it was such a magical moment to share with everyone there.
We are all scared to be in love, we are all scared to get hurt. I know that it took me a while to fall in love again, but as Darnell and Chrissy said "Our advice to someone scared to fall in love is you get what you put in, so put your best foot forward and reap the benefits, you'll know what real love is when it comes". I have to say, they are right. I never knew MJ and I would be together and I would have falling in love with him but I did and Iam thankful that I didn't let the pain that I went through stop me from loving someone else.
Their honeymoon began as an adventure and ended as a much needed relaxation in paradise. They flew back from Jamaica and went straight to South Africa, where they gamed the open safari in search for the big five and more. They ate breakfast with monkeys, and lunch with Cape Buffaloes in their backyard. They even were fortunate enough to have their afternoon naps interrupted by a group of hungry elephants grazing outside of our balcony. After South Africa, they flew to Zanzibar which is located of the coast of Tanzania. This is where they got to soak up the African sun and relax in each other's company. As I was writing this, I pictured that I was there. OMG what an amazing and deserving honeymoon for these two.
Some advice that Darnell and Christine gave for those planning a wedding or thinking of taking that next step is "The main thing to remember is it only has to make sense to you and your significant other. Don't get caught up in trying to please others, it's all about what works best for the two of you."
What are the future plans for these two as they go on to experience each other as one. As of now, they plan to travel more and just enjoy each other as husband and wife. Children are definitely in their future, but our Chloe will do for now. Last but not least I had to ask them, one last thing Confidence Is LOVE Because "being in love gives you a feeling of certainty that you can put your all in and trust another".
Every one has their own love story, but you have to believe in yours and never give up on love. It may take time but there is someone out there to share that story with you. I won't lie there was a point I had given up on love, but why give up? When there is someone who is praying for a queen like me who can make me believe in love again and show me a different kind of love which is what happened to me. I don't write these blogs based on love to make you feel sad because you aren't in love, I write them so you can believe and have hope that you deserve to love and to be loved as well.
To Darnell and Christine Happy One Month Anniversary, I wish you both nothing but the best in love, success and marriage. Iam thankful to have shared your special day with MJ, I pray you guys can share our special day as well one day.
A Confident Love From Me To You
Xoxo, Yanika
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