Under the warm Jamaican sun, Olympian Aleen Bailey and her now-husband Joseph Taylor tied the knot in a heartwarming ceremony at the St Andrew Scotts Kirk United Church on Duke Street in Kingston, surrounded by family, friends, and the love of the athletic community that brought them together.
They celebrated the union at a reception held at the ROK Hotel in downtown Kingston.
The wedding, presided over by Aleen's longtime friend Zara Northover and Reverend Nigel Nusey was a celebration of love, faith, and the powerful journey that brought two outstanding athletes together. Northover, who had been Aleen's roommate at the 2008 Beijing Games, expressed her gratitude for being entrusted to officiate the union, emphasizing the significance of God's blessing in their marital journey.
"The power of a God-ordained couple spreads a light and energy that is not just seen but felt," Northover proclaimed during the ceremony.
She drew parallels between the worlds of track and field and American football, highlighting the synchronization of effort, grace, strategy, and execution that defined both sports. Aleen's journey from the Beijing Games to the altar with Joseph mirrored the discipline, sacrifice, and perfect timing that characterize a sprinter's best race.
Northover shared a touching revelation about the divine intervention in Aleen and Joseph's love story. She revealed that Joseph was the answer to the prayers of Aleen's late Auntie Carmen (Clarke), who had fervently prayed for Aleen to find a God-fearing, intelligent, caring, tall, dark chocolate, strong protective man. Joseph, according to Northover, embodied all these qualities.
That prayer was answered when the two met in September 2022. He proposed on New Year’s Eve.
Close friends and colleagues in attendance also shared their joy and heartfelt messages. Andrea Bliss, a fellow athlete, expressed, "Aleen has been a big sister to me and so many other athletes since junior days. To see her so happy makes me happy."
Aleen's mother, Maud Bailey, welcomed Joseph into the family with pride. "I'm overwhelmed and proud of Aleen. I welcome Joseph as my son. May the Lord bless and keep them," she said.
Fellow Olympian and friend Yohan Blake thanked Aleen for her sustained support through good times and bad, saying, "It was an honour to celebrate you. Congratulations and I hope you have a fairytale life."
Bridesmaid, Elva Goulbourne, also an Olympian, conveyed her love and pride for Aleen, thanking her for always having her back through thick and thin. “To my sister. I have loved you from high school and I still love you now,” said the long jumper, who attended Dinthill Technical while Aleen was at Vere Technical.
“I am very proud of you. To the woman you have become and always having my back through thick and thin. Thank you for letting me a part of your celebration. May God continue to bless both of you richly.”
In his message to Aleen, Joseph expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am so humbly grateful that she is part of my forever. It’s a blessing to take her hand in marriage here in her home country of Jamaica in front of all of our family and friends. I love you with all my heart."
As the day concluded, the newlyweds, Aleen and Taylor, embarked on their journey together, symbolizing a union grounded in love, faith, and the shared experiences of two exceptional athletes who found their perfect match on and off the field.
Longtime friend Freddie James summed it all up when he remarked, “I’ve known Aleen since she was a child and this is the happiest I’ve ever seen her.”