Feb. 15, 2004 — Sixteen couples renewed their vows beneath the setting sun on Valentine's Day in Frederiksted. Capt. John "Big Beard" Macy performed the ceremony on the beach in front of the Beachside Cafe. " I did it to give back peace and love to the community," said Macy. A nondenominational minister, Macy has married over 750 couples since 1986. Macy explained that since he is a boat captain, many people asked him to perform weddings. "It's a natural extension of my job," he said.
In his wedding remarks, Macy spoke of redefining the couple's commitment to one another, reaffirming their union and renewing the foundations on which they built their marriage.
For Edward and Suzanne Thompson, of Nashville, Tenn., the ceremony was the ultimate romantic fantasy. Married eight and a half years with a family of three, renewing their vows on Valentine's was a great way to remember their first vacation to St. Croix. And they were aptly dressed for the occasion. The bride wore white — a white spaghetti strap top and white shorts, that is — and the groom matched the occasion in a T-shirt and blue shorts. Both complemented their outfits with beach sandals. "It was so beautiful and peaceful," said the bride, "just like St. Croix … we love it here."
One local couple that took advantage of the most romantic day of the year was attorney Kevin Rames and his wife of 30 years, Janis. The blushing bride confessed that she was totally taken off guard by her husband's surprise proposal.
"I thought we were just going out to dinner with friends. And when we arrived, as we were waiting for our table and talking with two other couples, my husband dropped down on one knee, took my hand and began telling me how much the last 30 years has meant to him. I was flabbergasted and totally overwhelmed. Kevin asked me to marry him all over again, and of course I said 'yes!'"
Isn't love grand?
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