Conrad and Vivienne Martin marked their 34th wedding anniversary on June 15, celebrating not just the passage of time but the unwavering love, laughter, and faith that have carried them through more than three decades together. From the very beginning, one principle has guided their journey: keeping God at the centre of their lives and relationship.
In an intimate interview with Freedom Come Rain, the couple’s chemistry was unmistakable—playful banter, shared laughter, and a rhythm of finishing each other’s sentences. It was clear they had built a life of both deep connection and light-hearted fun.
For Conrad – affectionately known as “Candy P” to his friends – it was love at first sight. The setting? A minivan travelling from Kingston to May Pen. She sat by the window, eyes fixed outside, while he sat beside her, eager to spark a conversation. But Vivienne remained distant, seemingly unaware of the destiny unfolding in that moment.
During the journey, which saw them passing through Spanish Town, they observed a soldier detaining a bike rider, took a knife from him and started ‘roughing him up’.
“And Vivienne said, ‘That’s why I would never marry a soldier.’” Conrad, hearing her comment and knowing he was an army man himself, never allowed that to stop him, as he told his friend after getting off the bus, “That’s my future wife!”
Conrad would learn that he had two strikes against him: he was in the military, and she had sworn never to marry someone older than herself. But fate, as always, had other plans. He eventually got her address in Vineyard Town and showed up one day to meet her.
Vivienne, reflecting on that day, laughed at the memory. “I didn’t even recognise him. He said, ‘You don’t remember me?’ And I was like, ‘No, I’ve never met you in my life.’ He said, ‘Who were you talking to on the bus?’ And she said, ‘I don’t know. My head was outside the whole time!’”
It wasn’t love at first sight for her—but as they spent time together, she found herself warming to him. Those early days were tender and cautious, especially as she was still healing from a previous relationship. But something about Conrad felt different.
She still gets emotional recalling the night he proposed. “I’ll never forget it – January 1, 1991. And if you hear me crying, I’m still mad about it!” she said with a laugh. Conrad had just returned from a trip to the U.S. and secretly planned a surprise proposal at her parents’ house. With the help of her large family – Vivienne is one of eight siblings – and even a minister from their church, he orchestrated an elaborate ambush of love.
“They all cooked up this scheme,” she recalled, chuckling through the memory. “There were people from the community, a minister – everything! I was completely blindsided. I started crying and told my sister, ‘I’m not doing anything!’” The ring, she added, was too tight, and in her stunned state she declared, “Good! Very good!”
But Conrad just smiled and added, “She said yes and that’s why we’re here doing this interview right now!”
Fast forward to 2025, and the couple stands in solidarity on why their marriage worked and is still working. It is based on love, respect, compromise, and utter humility.
Throughout their marriage, they played different roles; at one point, Conrad was the sole breadwinner, as he gave his wife the opportunity to go to school.
When their two children came along, he stayed home for “a good while” while his wife worked.
“Day care was not what it was supposed to be; he stayed home, and I worked, you know, just worked it out the best way we could,” Vivienne shared.
Conrad, joining in, said after looking at the feasibility of it, it was only natural he stayed home, as she was making more money than he was and his hours were longer.
Conrad boasted that he was a master chef as she came home and got her warm meals, and a laughing Vivienne chipped in, “He says he cooks much better than me, so I let him keep cooking!”
Staying home was not a biggie for Conrad, as he said having no sisters, his mother taught him everything he needed to know.
“So staying at home, you know, it is like nothing because I had known how to do all that already. Taking care of the house, cooking, and taking care of my sons,” he informed.
With 34 years and counting, both Conrad and Vivienne said there are some things they practise, and one of them is never going to bed angry with each other.
“No matter what, we always work it out before our heads touch the pillow,” Vivienne informed.
Asked one thing he absolutely adored about his wife, Conrad said there were so many, but the one that stands out is how down-to-earth she is, and returning the compliment, Vivienne said she loves his sense of humour.
In the romance department, the couple have no plans of slowing down any time
soon, as Conrad said they still have their date nights.
“You know, a lot of times when people grow apart it’s because they stopped doing things together. We still have a little vacation together – a vacation with children, which is different from a vacation by ourselves, you know. I love playing games with her, and date nights keep the fire burning!” Conrad noted.
The Martins have one piece of advice to give – for those who are planning on being married and who have already tied the knot – “Be open and honest with each other, regardless of what’s happening around you, and spend quality time with each other.”
Looking ahead, the Martins said they just want to continue being happy as they grow old together.