THE WEDDING OF
Najlaand Llewelyn J U N E T W E N T Y- S E V E N T H T WO T H O U S A N D A N D E I G H T E E N Najla & Llewelyn 1 •
In Remembrance
Tonight we remember our loved ones who are not able to be here with us. Your memories are in our hearts today and always. Gwendolyn Sandiford — Groom’s Maternal Grandmother Sylvia Nicholson — Bride’s Maternal Grandmother Minna Sylvester — Bride’s Paternal Grandmother Tajeme Sylvester — Bride’s Brother Lois Sylvester — Bride’s Aunt Marie Thervil — Close Friend Of The Bride and Groom
2 • Mr. & Mrs.
wedding ceremony
Ceremony ORDER OF
wedding party processional Reverend Roxanne Birchfield (Officiant) Groom Parents of the Groom Best Man & Matron of Honor Groomsmen & Bridesmaids Mini Bride & Junior Groomsman Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Bride’s Processional accompanied by Parents Greeting Declaration of Marriage Prayer Blessing and Exchange Of Rings Exchange of Vows Unity Sand Ceremony Presentation of the Couple Recessional
“We
love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Najla & Llewelyn 3 •
meet the couple
Najla Sylvester Birthday: September 30 Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Current Occupation: Event Planner/Construction Management Instructor Favorite Food: Ackee and Saltfish with boiled bananas Favorite Fruit: Mangoes Favorite Dessert: Anything chocolate
Llewelyn Wills Jr Birthday: August 9 Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Current Occupation: Gas Mechanic-A with Consolidated Edison (ConEd) Favorite Food: Barbeque Chicken and Jerk Chicken Favorite Fruit: Strawberries Favorite Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake 4 • Mr. & Mrs.
meet the couple
Our promise Our sweet Jali, I am extremely emotional writing this. Tears are flowing uncontrollably …it’s all happening! Lew is as calm as a cucumber. You know, his regular. Everyday we watch you grow up a little bit older and smarter. When you were younger, it was easy. I made decisions for you. I did what was best for you while you sat and smiled. I never had to stop and think for a moment about how it would make you feel or that you might not like it! But now things are different. You are your own person, strong willed, very opinionated, and you don’t give up without a fight. All this Lew and I love about you. Sometimes I have no idea how to deal with it. I knew this was coming – it’s the inevitable part of parenting. You get a baby and baby turns toddler, then young kid, and the circle is formed so rapidly that you are a young lady…. and then a stepfather is now in the mix Parenting is no easy task but it’s what i’ve always wanted and although it may take Lew and I a moment to get this all figured out and get the right answers for all your million questions, We will keep on going. In the meantime, here’s what we need you to know… We promise…. To love you unconditionally To never give up on you To be your biggest supporter and fan To love you even when I’m angry (Lew is almost never angry) To protect you as best as we can at all times To be there when you need someone to talk to To let you fall To be there to help you get up and start again To allow you to be your own person To be the best Parents we can for you Bonus: I will try everyday to be the Mom you want me to be (only on birthdays). And we promise to cherish all the memories we create daily forever. Love, Mom and Dwellyn Najla & Llewelyn 5 •
how we met
How we met as told by the bride
I met Lew while working at Sears in Kings Plaza, Brooklyn in 1997. I had just turned 18 .My Uncle Paul encouraged me to get a job and he knew that Sears was in the hiring process. It was my first job. I was clueless but willing to learn. I got the job! I worked part-time and attending college full- time. Mommy wasn’t thrilled at all. She wanted me to solely focus on school. I did my best to juggle both. I worked in the Sporting Goods Department. It was lots of fun and the pay was fairly reasonable for that of a college kid. I worked on commission so in a few months I knew what products paid the highest commission. I was a pro. I met lots of new people and gained new friends. It was while working at Sears that I met two girls who are dear to my heart. Marie Thervil (RIP) and Wendy Cohen-Codner. It was Marie who introduced me to Lew. Llewelyn! “Wah kine ah name dat!” in true Jamaican dialect. Marie had no filter and I loved that about her. “He thinks you’re cute and he likes you… oh and your butt. He wants to know if you’re talking to anyone” If you know Lew you know he’s quiet. So to hear that those types of words came from him was shocking, funny and somewhat flattering at the same time. He gave me his number and I kept it for a while. He’d always opt to use the men's room that was directly in my department just to see me to say “you still have my number, when are you gonna use it?” I’d always smile and kept it moving. I called him about 2 weeks later. Our conversation went well. We talked for about an hour and planned our first date to the movies and dinner. He picked me up in his 1989 Nissan Sentra and we headed to AMC on 42nd street right off the
6 • Mr. & Mrs.
FDR. Can’t remember what movie we watched but remembered Lew was such a gentleman. Extremely kind and catering to me. Lew and I got to know each other. We became inseparable. Having lunch together at work became the norm, then hanging out. I think I like him I would tell Marie and Wendy.
REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD In 2002 Lew and I broke it off. We were young and had some growing to do. I think he hated me during that whole process. He was still my friend throughout the years. I have an abundance of respect for him because he has remained sincere and honest. Not owing me anything but just valuing our friendship. BUT……… In 2016 something sparked. Phone conversations increased. I felt the need to talk to him more frequent. He felt the same. Maybe more LOL. I looked forward to our nightly phone calls. He had to be the last person I spoke with every night. Fast forward to the holidays. Lew invited me to his family’s Christmas dinner. I initially told him No I won’t be coming and he pleaded with me to come. I was hesitant to go because I knew his mom looked at me like a daughter and had always wanted Lew and I to work things out. I had a change of heart. I decided to attend the Wills Family Christmas Dinner. We talked, laughed, ate and had an awesome time. It was the best Christmas dinner I’d have in a while. I realized that I missed that type of atmosphere. I missed his company. It was from that point that I knew I wanted my man back.
as told by the groom I met Najla in 1997 while working at Sears Kings Plaza, Brooklyn. I’ve seen her a number of times at work and always admired her as she often walked past my department to get to Receiving. I always thought she looked amazing. However, there was one day that stood out to me. The day she wore a pair of black pants. I watched her walk by and thought to myself how good she looked in those pants. I knew I wasn’t brave enough to approach her, but I needed her to know that I liked her and what I saw and was interested in getting to know her. My only chance was to tell her friend Marie. Telling Marie meant that she was definitely gonna know that I was interested in her
and the message was gonna be delivered in its entirety. Marie said “I got you”. As promised Marie delivered. That same day Marie told her that I liked her and formally introduced us. Najla made fun of my name, but it was ok because the hard part was done. I gave her my number hoping she would call me that same night. She didn’t call me. She made me wait almost 2 weeks before calling me. I'm not a talker but there is something about her that made me talk to her for about an hour. We planned our date to the movies and then dinner. I enjoyed our time together. We had lunch dates on all of our shifts that we worked together and soon we were couple.
Najla & Llewelyn 7 •
“Love is patient,
love is kind.”
1 Corinthians 13:4
8 • Mr. & Mrs.
the proposal
The proposal as told by the bride
It was Sunday July 19th, 2017. A hot summer afternoon might I add. We went to dinner with family. Lew’s parents,his brothers, sister, sister-in-law, and my daughter. We dined at Los Pollittos a traditional Mexican Restaurant in Brooklyn. Dining out with the extended family(The Wills) is something we try to do often especially since Lew is from a small family, organization is extremely easy. This time though was a bit tricky, because I knew Mexican wasn’t Lew’s favorite thing to eat. He agreed to go after scoping out the menu before arrival, because” guac and chips” was what he was having. We did nothing out of the norm. We had our normal conversations, told jokes and laughed on our drive in. We all arrived at Los Pollittos at around the same time. We exchanged hugs with each other, and soon after we were seated. Lots more jokes and laughter as we always enjoyed each other's company. The girls are always up for a good cocktail... Mojitos it was. Guac and chips followed. We can’t remember entrees(quiet sure it was delicious) but the mojitos were slamming. Ohhh and we had shots too. Then…… a mysterious black box appeared directly in front of me. How long was it there? Only Lew knows, and he said it was there for a while. I noticed that there were no other boxes to the left or right of the table. I picked it up, said out loud “what the hell is this!” I’m still clueless. I decided to open the box and after opening it that’s when I realized what was happening. I dropped the box in surprise and excitement. More surprise. In it was an absolutely gorgeous princess cut diamond ring . Lew took the box pulled the ring out and popped the question.” Najla, will you marry me”? Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yesssssssssssssssss sealed with a kiss. Oh and a shot of Tequila………...
Najla & Llewelyn 9 •
Weddin
wedding party
M
mini bride
matron of honor
Ajalaa Richardson
Her mom felt every kick, every turn, every stretch and felt her growing inside of her. Ajalaa whitty, caring and kind. She is her mom’s best creation yet...
bridesmaid
Toni Sylvester-Reynolds
Sisters till the end of time! We share an unbreakable bond of strength, love, courage and trust. Najla calls her her Sissy Pooh!
bridesmaid
Tamara Bryan
They grew up in the same house while living in Jamaica. She’s got her back no matter the distance or circumstance. Najla sums it all up “My fight is her fight”.
bride's mother
Sandra Crooks
There is no way possible to say “I do” without Sandy C. She far exceeds what is expected of a mother as She holds every legal profession known to man. Her ability to rationalize and work through any situation is remarkable. She's a pastor, counselor, nutritional expert, mediator, Our voice of reasoning. 10 • Mr. & Mrs.
Wendy Cohen-Codner
She’s Najla’s best friend, her main gal who completely understands her, she loves her unconditionally. She knows our story and We can’t say I do without her by my side.
flower girl
Minna Reynolds
She is one of the best addition to our family. She’s our miracle and blessing baby.
bride's father
Everton Sylvester
He marches to the beat of his own drum. He continuously gives of himself to his family with no expectation of anything in return. He’s kind, thoughtful, and selfless
ng party
wedding party
MEET THE
best man
groomsman
Cecil Jemmott
He’s trustworthy and a man of his word. They have a tight brotherhood and understands that “iron sharpens iron as man sharpens man.”
groomsman
Elijah Wills
He’s the baby of the Wills. We watched him grow from birth. He would ask Lew when he was much younger “where’s your wife?” Referring to Najla. You spoke it into existence.
junior groomsman
Levi Sylvester
He’s very special to Najla more like a son. The love that we have for Lev transcends boundaries and makes spending time with him delightful.
groom's Mother
Diana Wills
Mark Dawson
He was different from all the other guys at Con Ed. Something about his personality jived with Lew’s.
She’s the matriarch of our family. She is the root of my foundation. She planted many seeds raising all 5 of us. One that I base my life on is the ability to achieve anything in life starts in your mind.
ring bearer
Marcus Sylvester
He’s our sour patch. Sour then sweet. He is quite similar to my dad (Everton), in that he is his own little man.
groom's father
Llewelyn Wills Sr
Lew’s first example of how and what is required to be a good man. The best example he's had.
Najla & Llewelyn 11 •
magazine design by Unlike Juliet photography by Glenmar Studio
Thank you We thank God for all of our blessings, but especially for bringing us together on this special day. To Our Family and Friends We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for joining us as we begin our new life together. We feel extremely fortunate to be surrounded by so many of our loved ones who have shared and helped to shape our lives. Your presence today in celebration of our love and commitment to each other means so much to us. To Our Parents Your love and support goes beyond any we have ever seen, and more than we could have asked for. Who we have become, what we believe and our ability to look towards a wonderful future together as husband and wife come from all that you have instilled in us. You have given us extraordinary examples of how to live, love, laugh, forgive, forget and persevere. Throughout our lives you have given us all that you could, and then amazingly, more. Love, Najla and Llewelyn
12 • Mr. & Mrs.