The McKenzies - Jeffrey and Esmilda celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary last year"I COULDN'T stand him at first sight. Everyone thought he was so perfect and I was turned off, then when I met him, I fell head over heels for him. He was the best man I had ever known."
So said Esmilda McKenzie of her husband Jeffrey .
They live in Hampton Green, Spanish Town, and have been married for 26 years with three children. Andre, 25, is a student at Mico Teachers' College. Alexia, 21, is pursuing a management course at Broward Community College in Florida, and Akashia, 13, is in her third year at St. Catherine High School.
It is interesting to hear the McKenzies talk about their life together as they are so frank.
"My wife is a lover. She came at the right time when a previous relationship ended. Then she touched all the vital chords and she has been the ideal wife," Jeffrey, pastor of Phillipo Baptist Church told THE STAR as his wife rocked with laughter.
"You know the other day I said if I should go before him then my whole world would crumble," she responded.
"And I said the same thing too," Jeffrey uttered.
And just how did the McKenzie's meet?
When they met both were students Jeffrey at the United Theological College, and Esmilda at the University of the West Indies. They saw each other often.
"Oh, Jeffrey was tall and handsome, courteous. Every-one kept talking about him. I couldn't stand hearing these things. I was turned off," Esmilda said.
But then something happened which changed her view.
"One day Jeffrey invited me over and, my oh my, I was so impressed. It was his courtesy, even when he took me out. He would stand protecting me while I was going into a bus and when leaving stepped outside, to hold my hand lest I fall. My, those were the little things which grabbed my attention."
Jeffrey said he introduced Esmilda to his parents, Rhoda and Linley McKenzie, and they were impressed.
"My parents felt she was great. They liked her much and felt I got it all," Jeffrey said.
This was also the case when Esmilda's parents, Jane and Llewelyn Burnett, met Jeffrey.
The marriage went well and even though Jeffrey took up ministerial duties in Mande-ville, away from Esmilda, who was still studying in Kingston, the couple kept a solid relationship going.
"We had so many things to talk about. What we wanted to achieve like a beautiful home and kids," Jeffrey said.
Their responsibilities were many when the couple started a family. For her, it was hard travelling to several parishes and for him preparing sermons and counselling, consumed his time and energy.
Despite this, the McKenzies were a happy family and they viewed each new birth as a blessing from above.
The McKenzie children adore their parents, even though their parents are sometimes strict.
Daughter Alexia told THE STAR that they are stern parents who "...keep us focused and teach us good principles which we have to live up to. We all have fun at home and jokes."
What is the McKenzie family philosophy?
The family who prays together, stays together. They urge others to do the same for as fulfilling a union.
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