Celebrating 32-Years of Black Love in Aruba, The Dutch Caribbean

“Do you want a wedding or do you want a house?” was the question that my dad posed to my mom as a young couple in their twenties just starting out – my dad an immigrant from the island of Antigua, West Indies, my mom a small town girl from Virginia, USA. While both would be ideal, they knew that at the time only one would be possible… my mom chose a house.

A life full of military deployments, traveling, kids, college, and all the curve balls that life throws never led them back to the idea of having a wedding until last year. For my parents thirty second wedding anniversary, they finally had the wedding (vow renewal) they never had, in the country of Aruba.

Aruba, a kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch), is known as the “happy island.” Located in the Caribbean Sea, Aruba lies outside of the hurricane belt, making it a sunny, sandy, and safe destination for the perfect Caribbean vacation at any time of the year. The island’s most famous beach, Eagle Beach, has been voted the number one beach in the Caribbean, and ranked amongst the highest in the world, for its pristine white sand and turquoise waters. How could we not have chosen this location to have the perfect beach wedding?

Our family spent a total of five days on the island enjoying, exploring, and, of course, being happy! On the fourth day we had the wedding ceremony for my parents. We contracted the company Picnic Aruba, who organized everything from the officiant to the photographer. The company handled the day with care and created an intimate ceremony that ended with a beautiful three- course, luxury picnic dinner.

The wedding was just the four of us – my sister and I as the audience and my parents at the altar. It was a surreal moment watching my mom walk down the aisle just as in love with my father, if not more, than when they met. Although it was only the few of us, it was all we really needed. There was enough love at that ceremony to fill an entire football stadium.

My parents exchanged vows and kissed. Teary-eyed I jumped up and clapped – excited, even though I knew they would say yes to one another. I spent the next 45-min. helping my parents pose for the photographer. There were so many moments I caught myself staring at them in awe. My mother glowed basking in my father’s love. Pride and peace resonated from my father as he embraced my mother. This is the kind of love I want. How could I ever accept anything less?

As an adult, you would expect to find yourself at a friend’s wedding before your parents, however, it is a unique experience that I am humbled to have had. It is beautiful to watch the two people that you love the most love one another so boldly and fiercely. What an example…

How fortunate I am, that in my lifetime, I have been a witness to not only my parent’s wedding, but also an ultimate example of black love. Thank you mom and dad, you are my heroes.