Hon. Benoni Tarr Grimes & Caroline Wynnie Tie Knot
By Abdullah
Kiatamba (Culled from the Liberian Journal)
With a flawless combination of solemnity and fanfare,
Benoni Tarr Grimes Saturday wedded Caroline Galimah in St. Paul, Minn.
With a backdrop of one of the largest Liberian
wedding gatherings, Grimes, the publisher of the People-to-People online news outlet, officially took in marriage the hands
of his best friend, Caroline, also lovingly called Caro.
The Reverend Father James N. Wilson, the officiating pastor,
acting each phase of the church ceremony—the exchange of the nuptial vows-- with almost choreographed precision, waited
for the ultimate answer with a relentless focus on Grimes. It seemed every moment made for a restless anxiety for many Liberians,
especially those who had traveled from far and wide to bear witness to the blessing of what many called a unique union.
The Father waited for a response, a vow that the Grimes would be
faithful—throughout the course of his life--- to Caro, no matter her circumstances.
Before long, Grimes paused, as he evidently relished every bit of the moment he had longed to see, and then responded.
“I do”, he solemnly pledged, to loud cheers from a rapturous audience at the St. John the Evangelist Episcopal
Church. As the rest of the church program neared an end, a steady stream of people exited the building for the final act—the
reception hall.
To jokes and veiled jabs, James Qualah and Stanley Ford (masters of ceremonies), introduced the celebration at the
Rice Street Event Hall in St. Paul, few miles away from the church.
After brief remarks
by the families of the bride and groom, an eventful moment jolted the audience to its feet. It was Edward Carter, the best
man, explaining the couple’s journey, which he called “a retrospection.”
“I have lived to see many joyous occasions, but….this is an exception,” he told the audience.
He said what began as a working relationship on a community election
commission between Mr. and Mrs. Grimes, in mid 2000s, perhaps around 2005, quickly grew into a full-blown partnership, not
least because Grimes, then the head of the group, appointed Caro as co-chair, his immediate deputy, to achieve what Carter
called “setting of a trap”, to build a bond of lasting friendship.
At the crowning moment, the groomsmen, in a close-knit human circle, escorted the groom to the stage, to tell his
long-anticipated story. Serenaded with a beautiful African music, Grimes walked up to the center of the stage.
“I have been on this
journey for many many years,” he revealed to the gathering, adding that he had told himself that “the woman who
will be my wife” would fulfill a list attributes, all of which Grimes boasted that Caro had met with ease.
To the delight of the audience, Grimes added, “I
have been looking, and I have found…and this is where I am going to stay.”
“She is, for me, a dream come true”, he told the excited audience, to
a prolonged applause and standing ovations.
By
all accounts, the event was remarkably successful and memorable. And, the list of participants and invitees certainly ran
the full gamut— people of all stripes and stations, all in one big festive cultural Liberian celebration of what one
community leader called “the people’s wedding”.
Grimes, who currently works as the District Cultural Liaison at the Edina Public School system, is one
of the most influential Liberians in the Diaspora.
The bride, Caro, is an easy-going breed
of a charming and accomplished event planner. She currently consults with the African Assistance Program, AAP, a Minnesota-based
non-profit organization. Click Here to see Pictures in big Sizes
