RELATIONSHIPS
Quality Time & Friendship by God’s Design
JALA & WADE RIDGARD
W
ith 8 children it seems very difficult to get ‘alone time’ as
a couple. But the lovers of over 10 years say that the kids
have a strict bedtime and that after all 8 go off to sleep,
the lovebirds can have quality time to themselves. Indeed quality
time and a close abiding friendship are key things the two have
cherished from the early days of courtship.
Jala who is from Kingston and Wade, from St. Ann met through a
shared passion in outreach and volunteerism in 2003. Through a
conspiring of Wade’s father and a suggestion to meet someone
from Jala’s mother, the two eventually met, were increasingly
drawn to each other and became solid friends before ultimately
tying the knot in 2004.
“I found that in spite of the fact that at the time I had this
commitment to the Lord (to be alone for 2 years) I felt drawn to
her instinctively,” shared Wade. Continuing, he explained that “we
started seeing each other randomly. (For example) my brother was
getting ready for his best friend’s wedding and he would just say
‘Wade let’s go to town.’ In the middle of the week, I would go
to Boulevard Shopping Centre and Jala would be there or we are
coming for a conference at the (then) Hilton Hotel and Jala shows
up there.” All of these interactions with Wade living in St. Ann and
Jala in Kingston were unplanned. “I became convinced that God
was setting us up and creating opportunities for us to talk and to
get to know each other,” expressed the doting husband and father.
“
... Indeed quality time and a close
abiding friendship are key things...
”
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