Love still burns for the Desdunes

By Lennox Aldred, Staff Reporter

Joseph and Delores Desdunes with their daughter Paula. - Contributed

THIRTY eight years and still going strong. Call it love, call it destiny, 66-year-old Joseph Desdunes is one man who will tell you that he knew he had met his soulmate the minute he first laid eyes on Delores Hendricks.

Their wonderful love story began way back in 1958.

"I will never forget that day, I went to Delores' mother's bar on Lyndhurst Road to have my regular drink. As I entered the bar, I saw this lovely flower blossoming from beyond the bar counter. I was overwhelmed by her beauty, as I sat at the bar counter and she served me a drink."

With a look of contentment on his face, Joseph explained how he and Delores immediately developed a casual relationship, and according to him, it was the start of something good.

"Our little relationship suddenly started to grow at a rapid state, as we started dating, and I would take her to movies and clubs, mainly on a Saturday," he said. "She was an outgoing person as well, so we both liked the social scene."

Her cheeks flushed by her husbands comments, Delores revealed that she was immediately captivated by the sophisticated and suave demeanour of the love of her life.

"I used to ride my bicycle down his street just to see if he was home to get a look at him, he was such a handsome fellow," she said.

With their love for each other growing stronger and stronger, a life-changing incident almost ended the couple's fairytale love story. Delores and her mother migrated to England in 1960, leaving the love of her life behind.

Distraught and confused, Joseph decided that he was not going to let Delores slip away from his life. As he puts it, he did what any prince would have done, "Gone after his princess".

Joseph packed his things and resigned his job at the National Water Commission and migrated to England in March of that same year. He made sure that he lived in close proximity to Delores, and in no time the two were reunited.

Eventually, he proposed in 1962 and they wed in March 1963.

The marriage has provided the couple with two children, Rohan and Paula, and a granddaughter Tiffany.

After 30 years in England, they returned to Jamaica, settling in Edgewater, Portmore. Both are retired, they are currently enjoying their retirement and being active members in and around their community. A lot of Delores' time goes into gardening, while Joseph sits and enjoys his daily STAR.

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