Divine connection: Chad and Zoe embark on an adventure of love

When Chad Brown and Zoe Thomas signed up for church camp, the last thing they were looking for was love. But fate stepped in when they least expected it. Years after their initial meeting, these kindred soulmates became friends and soon found a home in each other’s hearts. Interacting casually through mutual friends, they socialised at various church events, forming a strong bond with each passing encounter.

So, how did they go from meeting by chance to an enchanting romance? According to Chad, the narrative shifted in January 2021. The pair had shared a few classes together at university and this provided a reason to communicate. There were times that their late-night conversation would effortlessly extend to the following day.

“He told me that he was interested in me, but he wasn’t sure if it was the best time for a relationship. I was more concerned about his ‘how’; this is not the way he should do it. I am a woman of worth. He needed to go to my pastor and say, ‘Pastor, I like your saint,’” Zoe told Island Wedding.

Things are done a certain way in church, and half of the young people don’t subscribe to that rubric, she shared, “... but I prided myself in doing it that way because I wanted to make sure that I was protected as a female, and I wouldn’t risk my heart for someone who would just hurt me in the end. But he was more focused on us getting to know each other.”

As time grew, so did their feelings. And, in May, Zoe decided that the talking stage wasn’t working out for her. But, that didn’t stop the plot from thickening weeks later during the summer. “She came to St Ann for work. And at the time, I was living in the same parish; it was there that I began seeing her more,” Chad revealed.

The reconnection saw romantic walks and engaging talks of goals. “At the end of that summer, we started dating,” Zoe added.

Mesmerised by her beauty, Chad continues to marvel at how caring, intelligent, talkative and wholesome Zoe is. “She has been very instrumental in my spiritual and mental growth. She is a motivator, and she has been one of my biggest supporters. It’s wonderful that we are able to pursue our individual goals, while working [on] our collective goals together,” he said

As for Zoe, Chad is not only handsome, but he is generous, kind, chivalrous, amusing and patient. “He is hilarious, always running jokes and bringing up everyone’s energy. He is a giver; once he is doing something, he does so to the best of his ability. He is also helpful and hard-working; this speaks to his character at its core. He pushes me to be the best version of myself. When you meet someone who is deserving of everything, you want to give him or her everything. He is a great person and I want to be the best for him.”

Making quality time to enjoy each other’s company, the couple rekindled the romance by going to different lookout spots for relaxation and reconnection.

THE HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS

Knowing that her heart had wanted Chad for some time, Zoe realised he was the one after an argument in November 2021. “I was listing off in my head all of the reasons why this shouldn’t work. That’s when I felt the overwhelming feeling of urgency, knowing that you were called to this person’s life by God.”

Chad always saw forever in Zoe’s eyes, but he was happy to receive confirmation in church from God. “One Sunday morning, three years ago, she sat directly behind me in church. I didn’t know that she was there at the time. When she stood up as a visitor to give praise and I saw her, that’s when I knew she was the person I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with.”

After courting for two years and a month, Chad gathered their family and his best friend for a surprise proposal during one of their monthly anniversary dinners in Port Royal. “The families were out of sight. We went off to a little deck on the pier, and that’s where I popped the question.”

Enlisting her friend Renee Russell of Ashre Designs & Events to assist with the wedding decor, the bride-to-be, who planned the wedding herself, was grateful for the added support from family members and close friends.

When it came to the dress, Zoe was torn between a princess and a mermaid style. Ultimately, she chose the former, saying yes to a custom gown from a Ukrainian dressmaker she found online. Ordering it during the heat of the war was a risk, but it turned out beautifully.

On March 2, before God and in the presence of loved ones, Zoe and Chad became Mr and Mr Brown at the Pentecostal Sanctuary UPCJa on Waterloo Road in St Andrew. After saying ‘I do’, they took the wedded bliss to Struan Castle Garden on Bowden Hill Road in the parish.

Walking up the aisle at the ceremony to her favourite song, I See the Light by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi from the Disney movie Tangled, was definitely a highlight for the bride. She also loved the games and festivities at the reception.

“The wedding was amazing. Seeing Zoe as a bride was like a movie. My heart dropped for a second after seeing her silhouette. The reception was also my favourite part, because we were able to talk to each other, then have a few laughs together,” the groom revealed.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com