Jean and Hynreckie rekindle young romance, dancing into ‘I Do’

WESTERN BUREAU:

When Jean Campbell and Hynreckie O’Hara took to the dance floor on February 23 at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center in Florida, it wasn’t just the first dance of their wedding – it was the reunion of a love story rekindled after nearly five decades, set to the tune of Chronixx’s Smile Jamaica.

Their journey began in Montego Bay when Jean, then 18, met a 22-year-old Hynreckie at the St James parish council office (now St James Municipal Corporation), where he worked in payroll. She was there collecting her paycheque from a summer job, and he offered to help, and just like that, a connection sparked.

They dated through college, exchanging heartfelt letters across borders when Jean migrated from Jamaica to Canada to study at George Brown College.

But like many young romances, theirs was interrupted by life’s realities. They parted ways, and both eventually moved to the United States – he to New York, she to Chicago. They married others, raised families, and lost touch.

But life, with all its twists and turns, eventually brought them back together. After Hynreckie lost his wife to COVID-19 and Jean separated from her husband, they reconnected at Jean’s 60th birthday party in 2020.

“I just wanted to dance,” Jean told Island Wedding. “And I knew he loved music as much as I did.”

That night, they never left the dance floor, a fitting echo of their younger days when the couple, then active in Jamaica’s Leo Club, won dance contests and were known for “renting a tile” at every function.

“We opened the dance floor, and we closed it,” she said, smiling.

Their wedding reflected a deep connection to music and movement. Each table was named after an iconic Jamaican artiste, from Buju Banton to Beres Hammond, Beenie Man to Shaggy, and the entire evening pulsed with rhythm and romance.

Jean made her entrance flanked by her twin sons, Kyon and Kyle Johnson, who proudly walked her up the aisle. She wore an ivory V-neck lace appliqué tulle gown with a backless boho design and flowing train. While Hynreckie wore a blue suit from Emensuits.

“The moment she stepped into view, I got goosebumps,” said Curline Grant, the bride’s sister and maid of honour. “I didn’t expect to cry, but when I saw her walking up with the boys, the tears just came. It was joy, deep, pure joy.”

Grant, who affectionately recalled her long history with her “big sister Jean”, offered a blend of laughter and love in her toast.

“Jean is amazing, giving, kind, always laughing. You play music, and she’s the first to pull everyone onto the dance floor.” Turning to the groom, she added, “Hynreckie, you’re getting the best. Take care of her, love her, cherish her, just as much as we do.”

Best man Glen Vernon, a close friend of the couple and part of their longtime group of four with his wife Maxine, shared a nostalgic tribute that stirred the intimate setting.

“Barry ( Hynreckie’s nickname) and Jean have come full circle,” he said. “This was a love everyone in our circle hoped would one day come back around. When the news broke that they were getting married, it was a joyous occasion, we all knew it was meant to be.”

He recounted memories of their younger days, attending six or seven Christmas parties in a single season, travelling together, and always dancing.

“Good friends,” Vernon said, “better than pocket money. And these two, they’re going to have a wonderful life together. They may not get 40 years of marriage at this stage, but they’ll have a lifetime of love.”

Jean, a registered nurse, and Hynreckie, a retired paralegal who once worked on Wall Street, now reside in Florida, where they enjoy an active lifestyle filled with pickleball, swimming, boating, and laughter. Whether dressing alike or making new memories, their bond is stronger than ever.

In a modern twist on tradition, Jean gifted Hynreckie a sleek bracelet in place of a wedding band, a deeply personal token of their commitment. “He didn’t want a ring,” she said. “So I gave him something just as meaningful.”

Now 63 and 67, the couple is living proof that love doesn’t always follow a straight path, but when it’s real, it always finds its way home.

A night to remember unfolded, filled with music, dancing, and celebration, all under the musical direction of Black Steppa Sound, who flew in from Jamaica to Florida for the event. Their vibrant set kept guests on their feet, setting the perfect tone for a love story that was always meant to be danced to.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com