Island Wedding | Patrice strikes the right chord with Tadjé Dixon

When Patrice Lindo attended a concert with a friend, she spotted a familiar face approaching. After making enquiries, she realised it was Tadjé Dixon, whom she followed on social media. Tadjé was booked to perform at the event, but that did not stop him from noticing Patrice’s beauty. She made the first move by messaging him on Instagram, and they exchanged numbers shortly after. Years later, they exchanged vows in holy matrimony.

“I first laid eyes on her at a concert. It was well attended, and I was on stage playing an instrument for the group I was accompanying, but that didn’t stop me from seeing her. We started to have conversations on Instagram, then we exchanged numbers shortly after,” Tadjé recounted to Island Wedding.

Once she realised that they were already social media friends, Patrice mustered up the courage to message the musician. “Yes, I technically messaged first,” she said with a laugh. The two went on to communicate for a while over the phone until it was time to meet in person.

For their first date, Tadjé travelled through two parishes to meet her at a restaurant she wanted to try, Flava Fingaz in Ocho Rios. The date took an even more romantic turn when it began to rain as they prepared to leave. “We were supposed to leave and get a taxi, but due to the inclement weather, we couldn’t. So we sat and talked until it stopped raining. It was an amazing day and a breath of fresh air to be talking face to face instead of doing so on the phone,” Patrice revealed.

The pair still cannot pinpoint exactly when they decided to pursue a relationship, but it is a decision neither regrets.

Patrice quickly recognised how thoughtful and considerate her soulmate was. Over time, she also came to admire his humility, patience, candour, sincerity, and sense of humour. “He’s the calm to my storm on most days. While I’d overthink the situation and be all over the place, he’s the one to stop me, talk me through, and sort through what we can fix now, what needs steps to fix, what we have no control over, and work through them all. He gives me a sense of security and makes me comfortable enough to be led by him,” she explained.

For Tadjé, his twin flame has been a mesmerising vision from the very start. As he got to know her better, he became equally captivated by her thoughtfulness, kindness, sweetness, and supportive nature.

“Nothing of what I initially thought has truly changed. It continues to be confirmed with each and every passing day. I remember going to God and saying that I was ready to settle down. Patrice has been my answered prayer,” he added.

To keep the spark alive, the couple reconnects by watching movies, travelling, and listening to old choir music together.

“We enjoy being in each other’s company a lot. We don’t necessarily have to be doing anything specific. Just being close to each other is enough,” she highlighted.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

After courting for approximately five years, Tadjé decided that it was time to have and hold Patrice as his wife. He popped the question in September of last year at an opportune time with friends. “The proposal came at the perfect time. My wife was having a bad week, and every day, I said to myself, ‘Yes, I’m definitely going to propose’. She had plans with her friends, and we decided to add the proposal to those plans. My wife had no idea we were all conspiring behind her back. The decorator also helped, too. She was a part of the crew,” he revealed.

For Patrice, it was a day she will never forget: “The thought process that my husband put into getting it done was amazing to me, and it prompted me further in confirming that this man really cares for me. Even after saying yes, he just allowed me to go through all my emotions. It was truly an amazing experience.”

Instead of hiring a wedding planner, the engaged couple leaned on the expertise of a friend who specialises in events to spearhead the process, with additional help from family and friends.

On May 2, Tadjé and Patrice became Mr and Mrs Dixon at Bethel Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Ocho Rios, St Ann. The newly-weds later celebrated with a reception at Holiday Haven Resort in the parish.

According to the bride, the wedding was amazing: “It was a day and a half, but I loved every minute of it. My favourite moment was when I saw him when I got to the church because he had some mishaps getting to the church, and I [hadn’t] seen him all week, so seeing him made me feel very happy and walking to him up the aisle was the cherry on top. To say ‘I do’ to my husband amongst some of the most important people in my life was everything I could hope for.”

For the groom, it was the perfect nuptials: “The best moment was seeing her walk up the aisle. That was when reality struck me, and I realised that this is really happening.”

While no official dance was planned, the newly married couple took their first waltz to a rendition of Anita Baker’s Sweet Love, sung by one of the guests, which was initially prompted by the master of ceremonies. “At that moment I was overjoyed and just so happy to be in my husband’s presence. I couldn’t stop smiling,” Mrs Dixon added.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.comw