Palm Beach Brides 2020: Always A Bride A 25th Anniversary Celebration
The 25-year anniversary is represented by the color silver, the silver jubilee, and the wonderful iris. Silver is both traditional and modern. It is coveted for its radiance and brilliance, which is why silver makes the perfect material for commemorating this quarter century of shining love and dedication to one another.
The iris flower, as described by florists, embodies the spirit, love and aura of Paris, perhaps the most romantic of cities. It honors your time together as it stands tall and victorious in the sunlight, representing the strength and elegance of a relationship.
Wellington The Magazine caught up with the celebratory couple, Lenyce and Al Boyd, to reminisce on this special 25-year wedding anniversary photo shoot.
From newlyweds toasting with a pop of the champagne cork on their wedding day 25 years ago, to the busy parents, professionals and family they’ve become, the enduing commitment is always something to admire and celebrate. Here’s to an everlasting love story!
Where did you meet and how?
“We met back in 1991. I was out with my friend, and it was getting a little late,” Lenyce recalled. “Just before we were about to leave, I saw him from across the room — he was so handsome! He was talking to someone else, so I decided to take my friend’s advice and make eye contact — maybe a little much eye contact. Well, it worked. After talking for a few minutes, we quickly learned that we knew many of the same people and felt like we knew each other. He wanted to drive me home, but there was no way I was getting into a stranger’s car. Also, I was not ready to say goodbye. Being a true-crime junkie, I searched his entire car, gave his wallet to my friend, and she followed us all the way to my house, where he dropped me off at my door. We exchanged phone numbers, and the rest is history!”
Where did you get married?
“We had a tiny wedding in Key West, attended by approximately 12 family members and friends — the original micro wedding! We were married on the back porch of the beautiful Audubon House & Tropical Gardens in Key West,” Lenyce said. “We go back often and had hoped to celebrate our 25th back there, but with the virus, those plans have changed. We are OK with that and will just celebrate our next one a little extra.”
Describe your family today?
“We are officially brand-new empty nesters. It is a little strange, since we have had children living at home for so many years! We are blessed beyond words and got so lucky with three amazing kids, who have all grown into successful, happy adults,” Lenyce said. “We pray about that and thank God constantly for the continued blessings. We keep ourselves busy with our businesses, home and pets, which grew by two during the quarantine. We adopted a puppy from Big Dog Ranch Rescue and a mini pony from the South Florida ASPCA. Now, we have two horses, three dogs and four hens that give us eggs every single day.”
How do you continue to grow your love for one another?
“By taking a moment each day to look at each other and truly see who we have grown into,” Lenyce said. “We have to embrace those little moments and all of the beauty and blessings in our life. That’s the spark that keeps the fire burning.”
What is your favorite thing about each other?
“My favorite thing about Al is his kindness and open heart,” Lenyce said. “He wears his heart on his sleeve. The guy would give away his last dollar to someone in need and always thinks of others. He is an incredible father and role model to young adults. He is also pretty easy on the eyes.”
“The first thing that comes to mind is her eyes,” Al added. “I still remember so vividly the first time I saw Lenyce across the dance floor. Her soft eyes just drew me in as they do now every time. All of the love in my life, being a daddy to three beautiful children and being Papa Al to several others, all started with Lenyce. My life is beautiful and has purpose because of her. And yet she is a strong woman who has kept me strong in times when I needed it.”
Is this photo shoot a part of renewing your vows?
“No vow renewal, but we had a beautiful family celebration planned to take place in the Keys, but with the travel restrictions and mandates, we had to postpone that,” Lencye said.
If you had to give a young couple words of advice, what would that be?
“I heard this advice many years ago, and I never forgot it. It rang so true for me,” Lenyce said. “The advice I would pass along to a young couple would be for them to continue to grow as individuals, support your partner’s dreams and try to never fall out of love, all at the same time.”
“I would say that lifting up your partner to achieve their dreams shows that you believe in them, that you have faith in their abilities and that you support their independence because you are confident in your love,” Al added. “And secondly, ‘listen more, talk less,’ which I’m still learning. You’d be surprised what great ideas or unique perspectives your partner will contribute if you just stop talking and listen.”
