Atkinsons at last

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Krysta Anderson

February 24, 2020

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January 19, 2020, marks the date Kimberley Henry became Atkinson at last with her soulmate, Hakeem. The lovebirds are no strangers to Flair. Avid readers will remember the college sweethearts painting a picture of loving ‘purrfection’ in our Take Two series a few months ago.

The happy couple initially met during their stint in the University of the West Indies (UWI) Pop Society. That encounter gave no indication of love at first sight. In fact, they each thought the other was distasteful in demeanour.

Looming between them and happily ever after were majestic melodies of fate.

Hakeem blocked her vision while obnoxiously surrounded by female company. And Kimberley impudently queried if he had groomed his hair. Frightened and frustrated by her statement, he shared how rude she was being with her.

One thing led to another, and they were exchanging information. Water under the bridge, right? Well, he thought vengeance would be his when he took her Blackberry pin and didn’t contact her. But his soon-to-be lady love was ahead of the game, messaging him anyway. Up until recently, she genuinely thought that he had been busy.

Destiny prevailed the moment they opened the line of communication. They officially declared their love on Facebook via a confirmed relationship status in November of 2013. After graduating from university, the duo set their sights on moving in together, knowing that they would inevitably marry and start a family together.

Considering her happy, intelligent, selfless, spoilt (all his fault), and God-fearing, Hakeem knew the moment that he and Kimberley shared their first kiss that she was the one. “From the day I met Kim until now, she has been my backbone and has always pushed me to go the extra mile to be great,” he said. When asked what he loved about his other half the most, he responded: “She has very kind eyes. When I look into them, I feel at peace and so happy”.

Noting that Hakeem is strong, dutiful, kind, so smart and thoughtful, and patient, Kimberley revealed that her heart still skips a beat when he goes into deep conversation. “He isn’t the most talkative person, but he is a very deep thinker, so I always get excited when he comes to me with something that is on his mind because I know he has given it a lot of thought,” she said.

In addition to spoiling her and giving his queen the royal treatment, Hakeem always seeks any opportunity to uplift her and teach her things that he knows. “Coming into the union, I did not know how to manage finances or even drive. He taught me those things. He comes to me with ideas about how we can be better, make better decisions, and grow together. And whenever I feel anxious about life and feel like I am messing up, he tells me everything will be all right,” she told Flair. Her love for him took an organic approach to growing and came very easy to both of them. “I have no doubt he is the one,” she zealously added.

Knowing their love would last a lifetime, Hakeem began putting plans in motion to make Kimberley his wife. Following the failed plan of proposing where they first met, to the rear of the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, he decided that the enchanting Strawberry Hill would be the ideal location to pop the question. Surrounded by family members and friends, Kimberley assumed that she was merely having dinner with loved ones. Little did she know that Hakeem was about to make her the happiest woman alive! With just one look at her beloved following her entrance, she knew and erupted into tears of joy. With the romantic assistance of a saxophonist, Hakeem asked her to marry him. Of course, she said yes and was blown away by her beautiful engagement ring.

Planning a wedding on a budget in less than a year is no easy feat, but they pulled it off with help and support from those they hold close and dear to their hearts.

Since their birthdays both fall on the 19th day of their respective months, it was only fitting for them to start the new year on a nuptial note, tying the knot on the 19th. Family and friends gathered at The University of the West Indies Mona Chapel for the beautiful wedding ceremony and continued their celebration of love with an exquisite reception at Waterfalls in Liguanea.

The newly-weds were goals of sophisticated chic. Her off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline puffed in bridal pageantry alongside her handsome prince, classically dressed in a black tuxedo.

The wedding was everything they had hoped for and more. Among the highlights for the groom was his bride’s surprise during her walk up the aisle: “The moment I heard the anthem for my favourite football team, Liverpool Football Club. Marching to that song was such a beautiful moment. Just knowing that she wanted to add such a personal and sentimental touch to our ceremony was everything”. For the bride, being Mrs Atkinson at last and sharing in impromptu performances made her night more memorable than she could have ever imagined: “Hakeem gave an impromptu performance of ‘This is the Moment’ at our reception with his two friends, and anytime I think back to our day, that is one of the first thoughts that comes to mind, and it makes me smile! Those unplanned moments really brought things together.”

Story by Krysta Anderson

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com

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Author

Krysta Anderson

Tackles sex and relationships with honesty and openness. For months, she took readers on a journey of self-exploration with personal dating column 'Single but Iffy to Mingle'. Now she's ready for an even bigger adventure.

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