Left: Just like it was 50 years ago, Christine and Stanley Benjamin exchange 'I dos' at their 50th anniversary celebrations at the Luna Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Mary, on Saturday, April 22. Right: The Benjamins with their children and grandchildren. - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
THE AFTERNOON of April 22 was a sunny yet cool one in the hills of Luna, a district in south St. Mary. It seemed like the entire district had turned out in their finery for what could be like the event of the year.
The Luna Seventh-day Baptist Church, set on a high hill, was packed and overflowing with well-wishers from surrounding areas and other parts of the island, as well from England and the United States.
LONG-AWAITED 'WEDDING'
The event was the long-awaited 'wedding' of Christine (Miss Jenny) and Stanley Benjamin, affectionately called 'Cowboy' 'Youngman' or 'Rigin'.
Actually they were married 50 years ago in a simple civil ceremony and have always wanted what they call a 'real wedding'. So, along with their six children, they planned a ceremony to renew vows on their 50th anniversary. But it turned out to be more like a wedding with over 200 guests.
The 'bride' looked beautiful in an off-white dress with matching hat and shoes. The 'groom' wore a navy suit with white shirt and a black bow tie. Their two eldest children, Julia and Norman, served as 'maid of honour' and 'best man' and the officiating minister was Pastor Carlton Ferguson, a son of Luna.
The ceremony had some solemn and humorous moments.
The very-confident 'groom' chose to kiss his bride even before being given permission by the pastor and an exchange by their close friend and elder of the church, Joseph Thompson, turned instead into light-hearted banter between them. Even the exchange of rings had the guests laughing.
Formalities over, they were pronounced 'same wife, same husband' by Pastor Ferguson.
The ceremony was followed by a reception at the family home, with much eating, drinking and dancing, especially with dance contests among the children.
COMMUNITY AFFAIR
At the cake-cutting exercise, the couple took the opportunity to give advice on how to have a long and happy marriage.
It was a real community affair with members of the district doing all the cooking and even making sturdy bamboo benches and tables for additional seating, and all refusing to accept payment for their services. It will be an event that Luna will never forget.
- Contributed
