Songs of praise lead the Ryans to matrimony

With a love so intense and unfailing, it’s a wonder these two lovebirds hadn’t found each other sooner. Trusting God’s timing was everything for Rushawn Ryan, who first laid eyes on the beautiful Javelle James while she sang on the choir. Rushawn had been a visitor at Javelle’s church, present to witness his sister’s baptism. Showing this support became the catalyst for meeting the love of his life and future wife.

“When I saw her ministering in song, there was a different glow about her. I told myself I had to get to know her from then on,” Rushawn told Island Wedding. Javelle immediately noticed that the handsome newcomer couldn’t take his eyes off of her, and she was intrigued by the attention.

Once the service was over, he made his move, thanking Javelle for encouraging both his brother and sister to get baptised. As life would have it, she had to leave soon after.

Disappointing as it may seem at the time, this was only a deferral, not a denial of their budding love. To his surprise, she gave him her number, and in his heart, she had already won him over. “We started talking as friends. And pretty soon, we were praying about the relationship before entering,” Javelle added.

Impressed by his calm and reserved nature, she was drawn to his kindness, sweetness, ambition, and devotion to God.

CARING HUSBAND

“He’s such a loving person. He’s also gentle and caring. I love that, like me, he would always put God first and keep God at the centre of our relationship,” she explained.

He was amazed by her kind-hearted, outgoing nature and her devout faith. He marvels at her jovial and caring demeanour, and her radiance still brightens his day.

“She has helped me to be a better individual, showing different ways to achieve many things. Never one to accept mediocrity, she pushes me to be my best, taking care of me on so many levels,” he said, adding, “I realised she was the one when she showed me what it was like to have a partner that loves me for who I am.”

Their relationship, which began in July of 2019, progressed for three more years before Rushawn asked for Javelle’s hand in marriage.

Rushawn, who was in college at the time of the proposal, admitted that the plans were looking dim in the early stages. But this soon changed for the better. “I started to pray and ask God to direct my path and to open doors to confirm that this was His will for our lives.”

Shortly after prayer, he noticed the answers playing out in different ways. “I received help from persons I was not expecting. Family members also chipped in, and this gave me the motivation that it was God’s plan all along.”

Renting Bellefield Restaurant in Montego Bay for the proposal, he invited family and friends to witness the beautiful moment. “I asked her parents to carry her to the venue and they did, walking her down the stairs and bringing her to me. Tears of joy ran down her beautiful cheeks when I took her hand, placed her in front of me, went down on one knee and popped the question.” And an excited Javelle said, “Yes!”

Family and friends pitched in to make the dream wedding a stunning reality. Highlighting that the planning process was a stressful experience, the fiancée took solace in the gorgeous venue that would be home to an enchanting outdoor wedding.

As for the wedding dress, Javelle wanted to feel like a princess, so she went and did a fitting at Unions Bridal Boutique, saying yes to a majestic ballgown.

On June 1, Javelle walked down the aisle of the Dreamer Catamaran in Montego Bay with her handsome groom, both eagerly anticipating the moment they would exchange vows. Hand in hand, they took their first walk together as husband and wife.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com