Rock of Ages

“Antwan did good,” said Mable Thompson as she was introduced to the dazzling princess-cut diamond ring Antwan McClean used to propose to her great-granddaughter Kia Robinson.

Miss Mable’s opinion carried as much weight—if not more—as the rock itself, seeing as Kia stayed with the matriarch every childhood summer. To ensure her “93 years young” great-grandmother (and other elder relatives) could witness every minute of their Big Day, North Carolina residents Kia and Antwan opted for a beachside wedding in Myrtle Beach versus an island wedding in the Caribbean, choosing Grand Dunes Resort for their September 25, 2010 event. “It offered beautiful oceanfront scenery and was easily accessible,” explains Kia. Five generations of kin bore witness to the nuptials at the family-centric fête, and after dinner, everyone headed to the dance floor for an evening long on laughter and celebration. As the night drew to a close, guests sank into comfy couches dotted with zebra-printed  pillows and sipped grape lemonade while enjoying the gentle ocean breeze. As for Miss Mable? Her wedding day advice is still guiding her great-granddaughter. “Remember to do your part,” she told Kia. “That means take care of Antwan, look after him, feed him, and y’all have fun together. Do those things, and you’ll have a marriage till death do you part like me and PaPa did.”