After fireworks proposal, couple welcomes baby

Narmeo Walker was looking forward to taking his family to the Kingston waterfront on New Year's Eve to rekindle memories of last year, when he proposed to his girlfriend in front of thousands of people, knowing it would be broadcast live on television.

Narmeo, a member of the Jamaica Defence Force, swept Tashanna McCourty off her feet when he popped the question in front on thousands of persons.

Tashanna said yes!

Narmeo and Tashanna tied the knot on July 5 at the Garrison Church of the Ascension at the JDF headquarters, Up Park Camp. The couple has also welcomed an addition to the family. Their baby-girl, Emmiah, was born on November 23.

"It is such a great feeling having her here. When she came home I spent most of the night watching her sleep, and I just can't stop taking pictures," said Narmeo

Tashanna is just as excited, "I must admit it was painful, but it was worth it to finally see my miracle. I love her so much and I'm just enjoying all our times together," she said.

Family tradition

Had it not been for COVID-19, Emmiah may have experienced her first fireworks on the waterfront, an event which Narmeo wants to build a family tradition around.

A staple of New Year's Eve activities since 1999, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) said that fireworks on the waterfront has attracted up to 300,000 persons, who gather along Ocean Boulevard in the country's capital to welcome the new year. There will be none this year.

"It will be missed because it has a huge impact on our family, being that I did the proposal at that time, so there is a lot in it to be cherished," Narmeo told THE STAR.

Public gatherings have been curtailed by the Government in an attempt to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness that has infected more than 10,000 Jamaicans and killed over 250 persons since March. Across the globe, COVID-19 has killed more than 1.4 million people and infected well over 62 million.

Given the impact of COVID-19, and the need to control its spread, several countries around the world, including the Netherlands, Australia and Germany, have announced a ban on fireworks for this New Year's Eve. Locally, the UDC, which normally stages the event, says it is cognisant of the physical-distancing and public gathering rules in place for public safety and, therefore, will not host the fireworks this year.

"It's sad, though. I was planning to actually go back on stage just to see if persons remember us, and give them an update that we are married," Narmeo said.

"Hopefully this pandemic won't be around for a very long time, so next year things will be back to normal and the Urban Development Corporation can do the fireworks concert again, and we will be there."