Kelvin and Susan Hollingshead are living proof that it’s never too late to find true love. The couple, who are from the United Kingdom, were married last Monday, February 18, at the Sea Breeze Beach Hotel in Maxwell, Christ Church, five days after getting engaged at the same location.

For Kelvin and Susan, both 62, it was the perfect day at the perfect location in the perfect country.

Kelvin, a taxi driver, said he decided five days before coming to Barbados that he wanted to make Susan his wife.

“My kids love her and all our friends are always on us about getting married. I decided about three weeks ago that it was time. I looked into her eyes one day and I said, “You know what, I love this woman. We get on so well together and we are always making each other laugh, so why shouldn’t I marry her?’ So then I started making plans. I got in touch with the hotel and found out about getting married and what not.”

“Debbie Cadogan, events coordinator at the hotel, told me all I needed to get and I secured everything. I went out, got the ring and we came over to Barbados,” he explained.

But he wanted it all to be a surprise to his lovely lady so he made Debbie swear to secrecy so as to not spoil his plans.

Kelvin recounted how after everything was set in place he popped the question to a clueless Susan.

“On the Wednesday night before Valentine’s I took her to our room and I told her I bought her a nice dress for the holiday and wanted her to put it on. I told her close her eyes and I said, ‘Open them’, and I was on one knee waiting for her,” he recalled.

Susan said he had absolutely no idea Kelvin was planning to propose and she was pleasantly surprised.

“When I opened my eyes and I saw him on one knee I couldn’t believe what was happening. All I kept saying was, ‘Oh my gosh’. It was a really surreal moment for me and I couldn’t believe it was happening. I saw the ring and was floating on a cloud ever since,” she said.

But that was not the end of the surprise. Susan had no idea that the wedding was already planned and due to come off days after.

“After I said yes, we were talking about the wedding after that and who we should invite and so on. Then he said. ‘Let’s do it Monday’. I was in further shock. It took some time to sink in. We went into Bridgetown the next day to buy a wedding dress,” the blushing bride said.

Kelvin, who looked lovingly at Susan throughout the interview, said he was glad the day was able to come off smoothly and noted that it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the efficient team at Sea Breeze Beach Hotel.

“It was a perfect day. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Kelvin said.

The couple, who are both divorced and have been together for ten years, said they couldn’t imagine their wedding happening anywhere else and said it was a dream come true.

“It was always a dream to get married here. Barbados is our favourite place. We love it here. I’m a big believer in fate and I know here was the right place to be,” Kelvin said.

Susan added, “I always think of this hotel as a family hotel. Not too big and the service is impeccable. Very few times you find service like this. I was mesmerised by it.”

They couple are due to leave the island on Tuesday and said the honeymoon part of their trip was even more amazing.

“Barbados was the first vacation we took together and it was lovely. It’s a lovely magical place and we adore it. The honeymoon part now is amazing. Barbados is lovely and we are having a lovely time,” Susan said with a broad smile.

As for the rest of their lives, they believe the best is yet to come.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying the time we have left with each other and creating more awesome memories,” Susan said.

And Kelvin said he is looking forward to all the laughs.

“I believe life is short, so I’m a firm believer in having a laugh while we are here and I am looking forward to enjoying my life with my bride. We have constant laughs with each other. I crack jokes all the time and she laughs,” he said and thisn was followed by giggles from Susan.

And the surprises still aren’t over. The couple said they haven’t yet told their families back home they are now married and can’t wait to see their reactions when they tell the news.

“Lots of people will be shocked when we go home and tell them. We can’t wait to tell everyone face to face when we go back home. They will be pleased,” Susan added.