From Rainy Days To Sunshine And Love

Linda, a University Professor in Marketing, is a multi-lingual globetrotter. She was born in Simferopol, Crimea and grew up in Lebanon. Michael is a Director of Accounting; he grew up spending time in the outdoors of the Northwest US. Only two months after Linda took up her new job, she met her neighbour who turned out to be her soulmate. Linda describes their first date in September 2016: “We arranged to meet after work for a quick drink but ended up enjoying each other’s company so much that we went on to dinner and talked for six hours!” Wasting no time, they arranged to go paddle boarding the next Sunday on Lady Bird Lake. “We clicked instantly and were so comfortable around each other,” says Michael. “I didn’t want anyone else to have the chance of taking her.” The couple moved in together and Michael proposed as they watched the sunset from their balcony, just over a year after they first met. Linda and Michael share a love of travelling so it was no surprise that they decided on a destination wedding, but why Saint Lucia?

“The mountainous terrain appealed to us,” explains Linda. “It reminded me of Lebanon and Michael of Oregon. Plus the climate is good. It’s lovely that our first kiss was on water and that we married over water - on a bridge across a pool, overlooking the sea - and at sunset, just like the proposal.” The wedding took place on Saturday 2nd June, 2018 at beautiful Villa Susanna in Marigot Bay. Guests were greeted by Caribbean music and a coconut man with welcome drinks. The exchange of vows was followed by a sand ceremony and a champagne reception with live guitar music. An al fresco dinner under the stars was Caribbean-themed, as was the night’s entertainment - a steel pan band - which had everyone non-stop dancing, although the couple’s first dance was a nod to their Texas home: ‘Amazed’ by Lonestar. “It was magical,” reminisces Linda. “Thanks to Michele, our wedding planner, we didn’t have to worry about anything; we could just relax and enjoy ourselves.” After the wedding, Linda and Michael, inveterate travellers that they are, spent a few more days in Saint Lucia before flying on to Barbados, Paris, Manchester and Cancun. TT wishes them every happiness as they clock up the miles and years together.

Pre-Wedding Adventures

Linda and Michael have energy! They drove around the island, took a mud bath, visited waterfalls, botanical gardens, went sailing, snorkeling, and climbed Gros Piton!