🌺JAMAICA — ONE LOVE

 

Jamaica is my heart. My One Love.

There are places you visit.

There are places you return to.

And then there are places that somehow become part of you.

For me, that's Jamaica. 🇯🇲

My relationship with Jamaica has grown far beyond beaches, resorts and beautiful sunsets. It's the people. The music. The culture. The food. The laughter. The conversations. The friendships. The unexpected connections.

I've been fortunate enough to build relationships there with people from all walks of life — from musicians to ministers, business owners to friends who simply opened their homes and their hearts to me.

There's an old Jamaican saying:

“Out of many, one people.”

I feel that.

I have always felt a deep connection to the Jamaican people, and over the years I've come to feel like one of them in my own way.

That's why hearing “Welcome home, Chelle. One Love” when I arrive means so much to me.

It isn't just a greeting.

It feels like coming home.

More Than a Destination

My love for Jamaica has taken me places I never expected.

I've been drawn into its music, its history, its people and its culture. I've learned about Rastafari, Ital food, the importance of community, and the powerful spirit of One Love.

Bob Marley once spoke about what makes a person truly rich — not money, but the people around you.

I've come to understand that.

Because I've been lucky enough to find many people and many things worth loving in my years on this earth.

And Jamaica is one of those loves.

An Ongoing Story

My Jamaican story isn't finished.

I started a business there just before COVID, with dreams of building something that would connect me even more deeply to the island. COVID changed those plans, but it didn't change my connection.

Eventually, we started working toward it again.

Then came Hurricane Melissa.

Once again, Jamaica needed help.

So I did what felt natural — I gave back, organized fundraisers, spent time there, helped rebuild and continued showing up for a place and people who had given me so much.

I've spent weeks there. I've returned again and again. I've worked on the house. I've explored. I've shared meals, music and stories. I've laughed with people who became friends and friends who became family.

And I'm not finished.

There are still stories to tell.

This is one of them.

🌺 One Love

Jamaica is not my only love.

I've been lucky enough to find many people, places and things worth loving throughout my life.

But Jamaica?

Jamaica is my heart.

Jamaica is my One Love.

And this story is still being written.

One Love, Chelle ❤️🌺