Bent on a lifetime of love

Kamarie Price and Javaede Bent could never have imagined finding love at work. What began as mere colleagues interacting soon blossomed into a beautiful friendship rooted in admiration, respect, understanding, quality time, and support. Before they knew it, they transitioned from assisting each other in preparing for dates with other people to embarking on their own romantic journey, which now has them bent on love for a lifetime.

Although their story began on a cordial note, Javaede recalled the moment he laid eyes on Kamarie. “On her first day of work, my eyes glimpsed her beauty while signing in. I hastily approached her to make conversation and [we] exchanged numbers. I initially thought that she was stunning, with a sassy attitude and a lovely laugh. We soon became friends,” he told Island Wedding.

“We were co-workers first, then we became best friends,” Kamarie confirmed, adding, “We later realised that nothing compares to our time spent together, and we are at our best when we are together. We craved each other’s company like magnets drawn to each other. He recognised his feelings for me first and made them clearly known; however, I didn’t reciprocate them in kind.”

Those failed attempts didn’t deter Javaede. In fact, his emotions and passion only fuelled him to pursue her even further. “They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I went overseas, and during that time I found myself yearning for her presence. Upon my return, I decided to make my feelings known,” he said.

It wasn’t long before his persistence paid off with mutual attraction. “I’m forever grateful that he never gave up on us, as it’s the most beautiful thing to see love bear fruit from the seeds of friendship,” she added.

Their relationship began during the global pandemic. So without many options to choose from, due to the lockdown measures, the couple enjoyed a romantic date at home, “He cooked a three-course meal for me. To this day, his chicken Alfredo pasta is unmatched,” his beloved highlighted.

Javaede is punctual by nature and Kamarie sees this as one of his most admirable traits. She also continues to be impressed by how brilliant, caring, attentive and spiritual he is. “He always ensures that I have everything I need. He’s always willing to listen to my stories. Book-smart, he is always ready to pray, and says the best prayers. He has been very supportive with advancing my career, and he studies with me for my exams. The only thing left for him to do was actually sit my exam. Whenever he’s not with me, I have a longing and an urge for him; I would count down the days until I am reunited with him,” she shared.

Gorgeous, hilarious, passionate, headstrong and God-fearing; these attributes drew Javaede to Kamarie and continued to pull him in, even when he least expected it. “She tells the funniest stories; I could listen to her all day. When she finds something that she loves, she goes all in. Once she gets stuck on an idea it’s hard to change her mind. She’s a proud woman of God. My spiritual growth has improved as we spend more time together in the presence of God. She has made me become a better person by instilling better financial concepts in practice. And have you seen her? She’s beautiful,” he said. He knew the moment she had placed her own health at risk to care for him and his family who had COVID-19, that she was the one for him.

THE PROPOSAL

After three years of courtship, Javaede surprised Kamarie with a majestic dine-and-paint picnic experience at Hope Gardens for her post-birthday celebration. What she didn’t expect was that her gift would be an engagement ring.

“For the picnic date, he had arranged with PicnicJa to set up a beautiful ocean-blue blanket with a wicker basket filled to the brim with my favourite foods from The 100 restaurant. He had previously told me that we were both painting the scenery at the Chinese section of the garden. While I was in the middle of my painting, I realised that Javaede had already finished. In the midst of the grand reveal of our canvas, Jason Derulo’s Will You Marry Me was playing on the speaker in the background. And to my surprise, there he was on bended knee with his canvas painting saying “Will you Marry Me” and an engagement ring on the base of the canvas. As soon as I said yes, the photographer burst on the scene and we went right into our engagement photo shoot,” Kamarie reminisced.

With partial nuptial consultation from Ann Clarke & Company, the couple actually planned most of the wedding, alongside family members and friends.

On the last day of March, specially invited guests gathered at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston to witness the couple’s intimate transition from man and woman to husband and wife.

Basking in wedded bliss, the groom revealed that both the ceremony and the reception surpassed his expectations.

As for the blushing bride, the best moment came in reflection. “Sitting in my reception and seeing how wonderful the wedding turned out served as a true testament that when you put your desires in God’s hand, once it is in accordance to his will, it shall be done,” Mrs Bent said.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com