Vows - Unconditional LOVE

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Christmas Eve wedding of Leon Williams and his sweetheart of three years, Latoya Lawes, on December 24, 2011, on the Wickie Wackie beach in Bull Bay, St Thomas was memorable not only because of the day chosen but because the bride is suffering from a rare form of cancer called synovial sarcoma, which affects the soft tissues, usually around the joints. The cancer has in fact spread to Latoya's right lung and liver, and has caused her right leg to be amputated. Indeed the doctors gave her, shortly before the wedding was organised, a mere week to live. Maid of honour and the bride's best friend, Tabia McGraham, was given the task of quickly organising the nuptials. Though hastily planned — understandably, given the short notice, the wedding was a beautiful affair, forever etched in the minds of all in attendance.

Apple green and gold were the colours chosen for the wedding. The bridal party, comprising maid of honour Tabia McGraham and bridesmaids Sanika Pancho-Morrisson and Melissia Richardson, made its way up the aisle — with best man Mario Blake and groomsmen Jabukie Dennis and Dillan Collins — to the gazebo that served as the altar. The bride made her highly anticipated appearance at approximately 10:30 am, advancing ever so carefully on crutches guided by proud dad Ruben to her groom. The ceremony, officiated by Reverend Astor Carlyle, was brief — 30 minutes in total. Of note was the fact that the Reverend had baptised her in the hospital weeks earlier when she was bedridden.

The words "In sickness and in health" took on even greater significance during the exchange of wedding vows; the couple's repetition of those well-known words affirmed to all that their love was strong despite the unfortunate circumstances that faced them.

The announcement that they were now husband and wife was greeted with cheers and tears as the powerful ocean waves broke along the seashore behind them.

The reception which followed at the same venue gave many, the groom included, the opportunity to propose toasts of possibilities. The newly-weds along with their two-year-old daughter Aliana remain hopeful, cherishing every moment together as if it were their last.