Features

Friends at heart

By KAVELLE ANGLIN-CHRISTIE, Staff Reporter

Noel and Sonya Bennett - contributed

EVEN TODAY AFTER 25 years of marriage, it's obvious that Noel and Sonya Bennett are friends at heart.

He says they met in July 1979 at his friend's house. Sonya, who was there visiting her friend, who rented a portion of the house, asked Noel for a ride home. As the saying goes, it was all up-hill from there.

"There was some attraction there," said Noel.

"Some?" asked Sonya.

He said within no time, theywere calling each other at least two times a day.

"It was only that?" asked Sonya, "I couldn't get him off the phone from Montego Bay."

Noel said the two managed to stay together through regular phone calls and visits. "We spent a lot of weekends together.

Sometimes on Fridays I would come up for her and we would go down. Then I would drop her back on Sundays," said Noel.

Noel, who is five years older than Sonya, said he was ready to settle down when he met Sonya. Even though the two had only known each other for a few months, Noel popped the big question on his birthday, December 24.

Sonya said though she was only 26 at the time, she knew a life with Noel was meant to be. "I just loved everything about him. He was a gentleman, and he had all the qualities that I wanted in a man."

Surprise her

She recalled once when she was at work and Noel sent her a package containing a bottle of perfume and a box of cornflakes. They laughed.

Noel explained that he was driving one day and two women who were travelling in a taxi in front were wearing a perfume he liked. He said he drove them down. "At first I introduced myself and told them that there was no reason to be alarmed. Then I asked the women what perfumes they were wearing, and I liked how one smelled more than the other."

He said after that he made sure he got it for Sonya, and had it delivered to her. "I just wanted to do something that would surprise her. You should have heard the excitement in her voice."

Sonya beamed.

The two were married on April 12, 1980. Two years after, they gave birth to Noel-Andrew, and in 1988 to Sean.

They said though life was demanding with kids, they loved it. "At the time I was travelling a lot, because I was a salesman, so it was difficult," he said.

"But when he was there, he did everything; he would share all the chores," his wife added.

This year they celebrated their 25th anniversary aboard a cruise, and the two say it was fabulous. They were even crowned the king and queen in the twist off competition.

When asked if they should lose their memories, but had the choice to keep one, what it would be, Noel said, "The togetherness."

Sonya said, "I would want to remember my husband for the considerate, loving and attentive person that he is."