In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, when Jamaica’s wedding industry was brought to a near standstill, and many vendors faced cancelled bookings, damaged properties and uncertain futures, one St Ann venue decided to turn heartbreak into something beautiful.

The result was a breathtaking engagement celebration for 28-year-old Dr Melissa Halliman and her fiancé, 31-year-old Pastor Jevone Sortie, a couple whose love story became a symbol of resilience, faith and hope after the storm.

Held at the Borghinvilla Wedding Venue in Discovery Bay, St Ann, the engagement experience was the culmination of the venue’s ‘Hurricane Hero’ initiative, launched at the end of 2025 to honour Jamaicans who displayed extraordinary courage during Hurricane Melissa's passage on October 28.