“You both love God and Spanish.” Those words sealed the fate of Russanette Dennis and Sheldon Howell. Encouraged by a mutual friend to bond over these similar interests, they connected via WhatsApp and decided to meet in person at Regency Bar and Lounge a month later. A year after courting, the couple lovingly entered a new chapter in life titled ‘Husband and Wife’.
“The first time we met, I thought I was taller than him, because I had on heels,” she told Island Wedding with a laugh, adding, “but he was still taller. He had a nice, rugged look, [a] nice vibe, and we talked for hours. It was nice.”
Sheldon recalled that he initially thought Russanette’s had piercing, gorgeous eyes. That wasn’t the only thing that attracted him to her. “Her voice was stealing my focus,” he confessed.
After the Regency reveal, the pair engaged in more frequent conversations. They decided, however, that it would be best to remain friends. But a year later, everything changed. “I decided to ask for her hand in courtship in January 2020, when the Holy Spirit led me to do it. I didn’t even think, I just asked.”
Russanette explained that he told her that he was fond of her. She didn’t exactly know what he meant by that. So in no uncertain terms, he informed her that he wanted to pursue her.
Taking his request into serious consideration, she prayed for two months and received confirmation from God in what she could only describe as the coolest way.
“I was praying, and the Holy Spirit led me to a journal entry I wrote years ago about how I would feel when I met my husband; how I felt about him and when I was with him is exactly what the journal described. He always valued me, and I felt this great sense of peace.”
She accepted the courtship that March, submitting their relationship to God.
Since embarking on their new journey together, Russanette appreciates how supportive and considerate he is. “I love when he starts talking about engineering and processes; he’s so hot. We can talk about God and the things of God, and it’s peaceful. He is such a considerate and understanding person. He listens to my opinions, [is] eager to know my thoughts, and takes care of me. He deserves every good thing, and I want to give him that.”
Describing his beloved as sexy, passionate, deep, free and noble, Sheldon went on further to share that he is grateful that she has helped to keep his spiritual life on track. “She sieves through every opportunity to caution me when I seem to be off. And she encourages me when she says things like, ‘Papi, the children and I are depending on you to hear the direction from God for our family.’ I feel really empowered when I hear those words from her mouth, and I feel like I want to go before God and recommit.”
With such a moving declaration, Sheldon made the grandest love gestures by asking Russanette to be his wife.
Picture the romantic scene of roses, photos of the couple hanging from the ceiling, lit candles and petals that formed ‘Marry Me?’ on the centre wall. Russanette couldn’t believe her eyes. She thought she was just going by her friend’s house, but her husband-to-be and their friends had other plans.
“Little did she know that while she was upstairs, a silent uproar awaited her downstairs. As she strolled through the door, she stumbled upon the colourful scene. She was dumbstruck. As my colleagues and I began what was a harmony-bound acappella rendition of Spend My Life With You by Eric Benét, featuring Tamia, she immediately screamed and ran back to where she was coming from. That’s when she knew her heart was in serious trouble.”
He continued by saying, “After massive efforts to contain her and pull her back on [the] spot, I sang my heart out. Right after the last phrase of the song, I went down on one knee. Nervously dropping the ring, I took it up with pride as my eyes progressed to Russanette and asked her to do life with me.” She, of course, said yes.
The bride-to-be didn’t go with a wedding planner. She received assistance from family members and friends to bring her nuptial wishes to life. She did enlist coordinators for the day.
“Planning was seamless for us because we knew what we wanted. And because I do event planning as a marketer, I wasn’t stressed out. We wanted to have everything in one place and a venue that facilitated that. Also, we desired a nice area to take pictures,” she disclosed.
As it pertains to the attire, the bride said yes to an exquisite dress from LuxBrides JA. “I couldn’t stop smiling when I tried it on, and the customer service was amazing; Sam was super helpful and patient.”
On November 23, at 10:30 a.m., Russanette and Sheldon joined hearts in holy matrimony. The bride was a stunning vision in her ball gown, complete with a sweetheart neckline and tulle skirting.
“The wedding was magical,” the groom said, “it was beautiful. I cherished every moment of it.” His favourite moment came when his wife and her friends recited a poem she wrote just for him, “I felt like a king. Jah know, she made me feel like the only guy in this world.”
Noting that the special occasion was both beautiful and amazing, the bride’s favourite moment was her husband serenading her in song; that was the highlight of the wedding. She also loved the mother-daughter dance.
On the topic of dance, the newly-weds shared their first waltz as husband and wife to Dance With Me by Kelsey and Caleb, and Kitipun by Juan Luis Guerra, and Mayores by Mandinga.