Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Lloyd and Merle Brown (centre) are surrounded by their five children (from left) Denise, Diane Marie, Heather, Hilary and Gordon (back) at the reception of the renewal of the couple's vows after 50 years of marriage. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

It's an honour which any married couple would love to have - the bragging rights that come with being married for 50 years. Merlyn and Lloyd Brown, who are blessed with those rights, shared the momentous occasion with family and friends, last Sunday.

Since it was no simple occasion, they marked the milestone by renewing their vows at the St. Andrew Parish Church in Half-WayTree with a reception following at the Mona Visitor's Lodge. Fifty years ago, the loving couple wed in Canada and the flicker in their eyes has not dimmed judging from the photos from that big day.

For her second "wedding", the blissful "bride" chose a lavender dress with matching shawl, while her husband, who stood a couple of inches shorter than his wife, looked dapper in a dark suit, blue striped shirt and navy tie.

Not a dull moment

Apparently, never without a dull moment, Merle, as she is affectionately called, and Lloyd stood patiently while bodies shuffled around them for photos. Among their five children, their spouses and eight grandchildren, it took a little organising. Merle jokingly bantered with her only son Gordon that she had disowned him sometime now and teased someone in the distance when asked to adjust her position in the photo. "Are you suggesting I married a short man?" she said pouting her lips in her husband's direction.

The couple cut their cake and were treated to a dinner of chicken, rice, potatoes, steamed vegetables and ice-box cake or fruit salad. Yekengale provided music on his keyboard.

Toasts from their friends, church family, the clergy, children, sons-in-law, Lloyd's family and Merle's family told the story of the couple's life together. However, the toasts from their grandchildren left nothing out. They came in the form of poems, anecdotes about their grandmother sneaking them junk food even when their parents said no, and their grandparents being more than willing to be their personal chauffeurs to and from after-school activities.

Lloyd Brown finally thanked the guests for sharing the occasion with them.

Among the guests were former Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, Caroline Parkes, Rev'd. Jim Parkes, Archdeacon Leon Golding, Walter Scott, Keisha Scott Dr. Oswald Harding and his wife Marigold Harding, Clinton McCleron.

Caroline Parkes, Rev'd. Jim Parkes (centre) and Arch-deacon Leon Golding having cocktails at the reception of Merle and Lloyd Brown's 50th anniversary celebrations.