I Do, I Do: From their past, they find future
Posted: June 13, 2010 – 12:35amPhotos
Photo by Tyler Jackson
By M.C. Finotti
When Tonya Jackson and Chris Williams look at each other, they see their past and future all rolled into one.
Tonya and Chris graduated from First Coast High School in 1994, and although they were each aware of the other during high school, they barely talked.
“She was a mean little thing,” said Chris, now 34, a general contractor for Safety Contractors Inc., a highway construction company.
“And he always dated those dainty little cheerleader type of girls,” said Tonya, now 33 and a paralegal at law firm Morgan & Morgan.
After high school, Chris went to the University of Florida and Tonya got married, moved away and had a baby. Later single, she returned to Jacksonville to restart her life and reconnect with high school friends, including Chris’ older brother (an old friend) and other folks who also happened to know Chris.
One night in 2008, Tonya found herself at Dick’s Wings on the Southside with a girlfriend who called Chris and invited him to join them. Chris and Tonya became fast friends.
“One thing soon led to another, and we started dating,” said Chris. “We tried to keep it secret for a while, because we didn’t know where it would go, but everyone soon found out.”
Chris fell in love with Tonya’s confidence and assertiveness. She’s far different from anyone he’s dated before, he said.
“Basically, she’s a female version of me,” said Chris. “In this relationship, we both wear the pants.”
Tonya and Chris said “I do” April 18 under a stone gazebo at the Beaches Resort in Negril, Jamaica. They opted for a destination wedding because they realized it would cost less than a big wedding at home. Eleven family members, including Tonya’s 15-year-old son, joined them for their beachside ceremony and luau reception.
Their wedding also proved hassle-free because Tonya turned over all the planning duties to Shawnee Doster, who owns All About Honeymoons & Destination Weddings.
“We didn’t have to do anything but tell her the day and the time we wanted to marry,” Tonya said. They didn’t have to pay her, either – her wholesalers took care of that. Shawnee booked everything from airplane tickets to hair appointments at the resort.
Meantime, Tonya says it’s fine to have a spouse who reminds her of her high school days. But really, when she looks at Chris, she sees her future.
“He’s absolutely wonderful,” Tonya said. “He’s more than anyone could have asked for.”
If you or someone you know has an interesting love story that led to the altar recently, e-mail features@jacksonville.com and include a wedding picture.
