For seven years, Pastor Andrew Lemonious has loved a woman whose face he has never seen. At 59, the blind pastor describes his relationship with 31-year-old Sickero as the ultimate “blind date” — one that, despite the obvious irony, has taught him that love can see beyond what the eyes cannot. “I don’t believe in blind date, but this is the only blind date that I will be involved in,” Andrew told THE STAR. Their unlikely love story began in 2019, when Sickero, then living in Montego Bay and searching for prayer and counselling during a difficult period in her life, was referred to Andrew. Neither was looking for a relationship. But what began with conversations about faith slowly became something deeper. Andrew, who evangelises on the streets using monitor boxes, said he contacted Sickero after she did not reach out following the initial referral. “I spoke with her and the Lord just started to reveal some things, and from there we just began to communicate,” he recalled. The conversations eventually led to an invitation to her church, followed by a visit to her home to meet her parents. Four years later, they were married. For Andrew, the relationship was an answer to a prayer. “I was praying and hoping for someone to be there for me,” he said. “I had expectations but they weren’t so much of a physical expectation, but someone who just loves the Lord.” He said Sickero was the kind of person he believed God had brought into his life. “Not so much the physical but a natural person, natural beauty, and that’s what God brought to me.” Although Andrew has never seen his wife’s face, he has built an image of her through the descriptions of those around him. “I realised that she is a beautiful woman, and she is also intelligent,” he said. “And based on that, all I can say is, ‘Wow! Is God really choose for me.’” But the road to their marriage was not without obstacles. Andrew was not born blind. His sight began deteriorating in 2003. He was initially told he was near-sighted and was prescribed glasses. He was later treated for glaucoma, but eventually sought another medical opinion while in the United States. “The doctor said what happened to me, I didn’t need drops, ‘and you have been treated for something you didn’t have, and it developed it,’” he recalled. His sight continued to deteriorate. Then, in 2012, Andrew suddenly lost his remaining vision. “I got up and prayed and as I exit the door the morning in 2012 my sight just went, just like that. I was pitch-black blind and it was frightening moments,” he said. He cried out to God and briefly regained his sight, but later lost it again. “I was rushed to the doctor and she said she can’t help me, only God,” he said. Eventually, Andrew became completely blind. Yet he refused to allow blindness to define his capacity to love, work or build a family. By the time Sickero entered his life, he had already experienced relationships, but he said there was something different about her. Sickero, meanwhile, had her own struggles. She had two sons with her high-school sweetheart before they separated. During that period, she said she found her way to Christ while battling emotionally. “I was going through some hard times,” she said. She remembered that her first conversations with Andrew did not immediately spark romantic interest. “But something stood out, I think it’s the spirit of the Lord.” What began as friendship gradually evolved into love. “He started to coach and mentor me and this was something I was longing for,” Sickero said. “I was attracted to his humbleness because, before, I was very angry and bitter and he changed me, and this is where we are today.” Their relationship, however, attracted criticism — including from members of Sickero’s own family. She recalled introducing Andrew as a pastor before they were dating and facing harsh reactions when she explained the nature of their relationship. “They called me idiot, fool, because they are saying, ‘You have so many qualifications. Why did you settle for him?’” Despite the 29-year age difference and Andrew’s blindness, she saw a man who treated her with a kind of love and respect she had not experienced before. Today, the couple are raising their family and building something of their own. Andrew has two children from a previous relationship and one child with Sickero. Together, they are also developing Arimatha Naturals, their coconut-oil business. And despite his blindness, Andrew plays an active role in producing the oil. “I husk them out, grate the coconut, and I just pray about it and grate and juice it,” he explained. His years as a certified chef have also helped him adapt. “I was a certified chef before I got blind, so I know these stuff; so even now, I cook food and clean house.” When it comes to making the coconut oil, however, the couple work as a team. Andrew grates and extracts the coconut milk, while Sickero handles the cooking because he cannot see what is happening on the fire. The business is still growing, but they are determined to build it gradually. While Sickero admits she has wondered what it would be like for Andrew to see her face, she is no longer waiting for his eyes to confirm what her heart already knows. “I know he loves me now,” she said. “[And] I do love him for who he is.”