ISLAND WEDDING
A love built to last with O’Rane and Sherona Thomas
Published:Tuesday | October 14, 2025 | 12:06 AMRuth-Ann Briscoe/Gleaner Writer
What began as a childhood friendship in a first-grade classroom has blossomed into a timeless love story. Educator Sherona Forrester and general surgeon Dr O’Rane Thomas first met after quite literally bumping into each other during a Physical Education class at Mineral Heights Primary School. That playful encounter sparked countless shared moments, especially through their favourite hobbies. Over the years, their bond deepened, culminating in a scenic beachfront wedding in Montego Bay in August.
Speaking with Island Wedding about their meet-cute of some sorts, Sherona said, “We were in the same Grades 1 to 6 [classes]. He became head boy and top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) boy and I was deputy head girl and top GSAT girl … we had similar interests so we sang and danced to cultural items in JCDC and we played football together.”
Their innocent friendship continued to grow both at school and church. They were baptised together at 11 years old while attending Mineral Heights New Testament Church of God. “We had a strong bond but, back in those days, we weren’t thinking about boyfriend and girlfriend. For my birthday parties, I would choose O’Rane to cut the cake with me,” Sherona shared.
Determined to preserve their friendship, Sherona and O’Rane kept their mutual attraction under wraps for years. Both excelled academically and in extra-curricular activities at their alma mater, Glenmuir High School.
“In first form, we played football together,” Sherona recalled, “I joined him [on the] choir in second form. He moved on to track and I did netball, football, basketball, [and] table tennis. We were studying partners as, by this time, his family moved just up the road from me.”
But everything shifted for Sherona the following summer. “In the summer before fourth form, [I] couldn’t shake the question that had been lingering in [my] heart. [I] needed to know if [my] feelings for O’Rane were one-sided. What I didn’t realise was that O’Rane had felt the same way all along.”
On August 5, 2006, their 18-year relationship began. They went through college and adulthood together, growing closer with each passing year.
POPPING THE QUESTION IN PARIS
On the heels of a friend’s wedding, O’Rane was preparing to propose at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Love was in the air among their friends, as Sherona had just heard a major life update from another friend.
“My friend Joelle had called me from Jamaica to share that she had gotten engaged. I thought her news was the answer to our prayers, so a proposal for me was the last thing on my mind.” Sherona added.
O’Rane had been planning the proposal for some time, setting the date for September 8 last year.
“Pulling off something like this was a huge deal because Sherona is not easily surprised. She notices everything. Finally seeing it come together felt surreal,” he explained.
He connected with a photographer, keeping Sherona under the impression that it was just a morning shoot. “As we moved from location to location, enjoying the beauty of the city, everything felt like part of the shoot. When we reached the third spot along the river, the photographer smiled and said, ‘There are no birds in the sky, it’s gonna be a good day’,” O’Rane said. And that’s when he, on bended knee, asked his soulmate to be his wife.
“I was completely shocked. To be surprised in such a breathtaking, iconic place left me speechless,” Sherona recounted.
THEIR BIG DAY
After 18 years of love, the pair tied the knot on Saturday, August 16, at The Wharf House in Montego Bay. Bishop Leslie Pinnock officiated the ceremony.
The beautiful bride walked down the aisle in a stunning ballgown by The Sweetest Weddings Jamaica, to Ryann Darling’s I Choose You, which was performed by Britney Getfield and accompanied by the Accel String Quartet.
“When Sher stepped onto the aisle, time seemed to pause. She was radiant, absolutely flawless, and in that instant, I was overwhelmed with joy,” the suave groom shared.
He added that one of his favourite moments was when they sang their vows together, a rendition to the 2003 NewSong single When God Made You.
“It was an experience etched forever in my heart. In that moment, it felt as though everyone else faded away and we were in our own world, promising our forever,” Mrs Forrester-Thomas said, adding that another highlight for her was the father-daughter dance: “Even with his loss of sight, I could feel the pride and joy radiating from my father. That memory will stay with me always. It was truly a fairytale day, made perfect by love, faith, and family.”