Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Andrew and Paul Tie the Knot in Heartfelt Ceremony: Read the Touching Vows
On the Tuesday, June 24th episode of Days of our Lives, the wedding of Andrew Donovan (Colton Little) and Paul Narita (Christopher Sean) took centerstage. Prior to the ceremony, during, and after, head writers, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford and their team, continued to bring more emotional moments since the passing of John Black, and the memorial in his honor, which also paid tribute to his portrayer, the late Drake Hogestyn.
Before they head to their nuptials, Andrew and Paul hit the sheets. Later, Paul voices his concern of their future. He says that their long-distance relationship because of Andrew’s career with the ISA, constantly puts his husband-to-be in danger. Andrew calms Paul’s fears saying that they are going to have a long, happy life together. Next, in a touching moment, Andrew presents Paul with a special gift from Marlena (Deidre Hall). When he opens it, Paul is overwhelmed as it was his father’s wristwatch engraved on the back which said, “To JB, for giving me time.”
Paul is in tears, wishing his dad was there to see them get married, as well as his mother, both of whom are no longer with us. Meanwhile, as the ceremony is being set-up, Eric (Greg Vaughan) tells Brady (Eric Martsolf) he is a bit nervous as he has never officiated a same-sex wedding before, but Brady says he will do great.
Courtesy/Peacock
In attendance at the nuptials are: Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Steve (Stephen Nichols), Tate (Leo Howard), Rachel (Alice Halsey), Marlena, Carrie (Christie Clark), Will (Chandler Massey), Shane (Charles Shaughnessy), Belle (Martha Madison) and the aforementioned Brady and Eric. As it turns out, Andrew and Paul dressed in matching suits and ties were a bit late, but as soon as they arrived the wedding got underway.
Photo: JPI
First, Carrie helped Paul honor his Japanese heritage which gave a nod to the tradition of drinking sake from three different cups as symbol of their union. Carrie poured the drink into the cup. Paul drank some and then handed the cup to Andrew. Next, the grooms each said their wows, and they were as follows:
Andrew’s vows: “John and I showed up to Paul’s place in San Francisco. Before I knew it, we were off on an adventure that took us all the way to Hong Kong. There was a lot of action on that trip: black tie galas, guns, and poison gas . But what I remember most from that time was a conversation that Paul and I had in a hot tub. Easy folks. We were working, but we were also talking. Paul and I had just met and he was so open about his family, about coming out, and that allowed me to be open. From the very beginning, being with him felt so natural and so right. Paul and I both love our work and each other, and that means that we’re not always able to be in the same place at the same time. But Paul, please know, that no matter where I am, I’m always with you. Wherever I go, you go with me. You are in my heart and my soul forever. I’m so blessed to be the person you’ve chosen to walk through this life with. I promise from the day forward, to love and to cherish you as walk together as husbands.”
Courtesy/Peacock
Paul’s vows: “What you said is true. We connected right away, had amazing, incredible conversations, deep and meaningful talks, and they went on for hours. My mother used to say, ‘few words, speak truth,’ and I love you, Andrew. That is my truth. That is my vow to love you always for a long time. Fear kept me from being honest, from being happy, and whole. But with you, I am both. You know me like no one else does, except my dad. He and I didn’t get to know each other until much later in life. Turned out, that I had followed in his footsteps playing baseball, and later, I was lucky enough to follow in his footsteps again, at ‘Black Patch’ where I got to learn from the best there was. Dad was also an incurable, romantic, and yes, I followed in his footsteps again. He told me not to give up on love. He believed in the power of the heart. He gave me the courage to push past my fears and my doubts, to trust my own heart, to believe that we could work. Here we are. I wondered why he rooted so hard for us. Now, I think I know why. … he was an honorary member of your family. And when I met you, I just knew I was home.”
Photo: JPI
After the men traded rings, and said their vows, Eric officially pronounced them married. However, what should have been a kiss as any married couple would do, was only a hug, for reasons unknown, especially when DAYS has been one of the forerunners for same-sex unions and gay couples, and storylines on the soaps. Next, Brady, spoke with a toast to his brother, Paul, which was also heart-tugging. You can read that below.
Photo: JPI
Best man, Brady’s toast to Paul: “This handsome, athletic, baseball superstar just kind of popped in and stole my thunder. Not only was this guy, cool and athletic, and handsome, and everything I mentioned, he was kind when he spoke, he listened. When you needed something, he was there. So, not only did I resent the fact that he was so much cooler than me, I was sucked in. He won me over and the whole family … we were all taken by him, especially dad. I happen to know for a fact that he was over the moon when he found out that you were his son. I’m so proud to be your best man, and I’m prouder to be your brother. Cheers to the grooms.”
Photo: JPI
Not to be outdone, Shane steps forward and gives praise to his son, which is something we have certainly not heard before and it went as follows:
Andrew’s father, Shane: “Andrew and I were apart most of his childhood, and yet despite that, rather like Paul with John, he decided to follow in my footsteps. Over the years, perhaps I wasn’t as effusive with my praise as I should have been. But today, on this day, I want to make it crystal clear. Andrew, you are and always have been by pride and joy. Not only are you a a stellar, ISA agent, just as importantly, you are a stellar human being and it gives me more joy than you can imagine, that you have found someone equally stellar to share your life with. I love you, son. And Paul, even though I am so deeply sorry that you lost John, I want you to know that you’ve gained another father in me.”
Photo: JPI
As the ceremony and the celebration winded down, Carrie told Marlena she is leaving Salem but on her way to say goodbye to Roman at the the Pub. Shane walks up to Andrew and Paul with a solution on how the newlyweds don’t have to be separated by distance. Shane says that Paul should join the ISA so he and Andrew can be together in Washington D.C.
Later, Marlena thanks Andrew and Paul for not postponing their wedding in the wake and tragedy of John’s death, sharing, “We all needed a double dose of life-affirming joy.” Next, the entire group of attendees looks up and says that John was no doubt looking down on them today as they look up to reveal a rainbow in the color of the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag.
What did you think about the wedding vows between Andrew and Paul? Did you like the toasts made by Brady and Shane? Did you reach for the hankies at all during the ceremony? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
We thought that the entire wedding was beautiful. The vows, All of the wedding toast, the family’s all being together and the rainbow at the end everything was perfect. And we would also like to commend the new writers on making it special and also on making the farewell to Drake so beautiful. He is truly missed. And it was lovely to see how much all of his co-workers truly loved him. So kudos to the writers and to all the cast. We love you all.
I really wish we had seen a “you may kiss the groom” moment. It felt awkward without it. Otherwise, I loved everything!
I thought the same thing!! I was like wait they aren’t going to kiss?? I forget did they kiss in the hotel room?
I wish Andrew and Paul were the ‘ gay’ couple on Days ! Javi and Leo are so cringe. Doing too much and corny and cliche. Paul and Andrew represent the community much better imo anyways.
I really loved the wedding and Days for always showing love to the LGBTs
Agree 100%
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Next week, Days of Our Lives welcomes back fan favorites Colton Little (Andrew Donovan) and Christopher Sean (Paul Narita) when they reprise their roles for an upcoming special episode which contains Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena Evans.
Circle Monday, June 22 when the married couple comes back to Salem. Paul is the son of Marlena’s beloved and late husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn). Andrew is the son of iconic couple Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) and Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease).
According to the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of June 22-26, Andrew scolds Cat (AnnaLynne McCord). Let’s remember Andrew is ISA. Meanwhile while Marlena thinks back on her fifty years in Salem, Paul arrives back in town.
Photo: JPI
ANDREW AND PAUL
Christopher Sean began playing Paul Narita back in 2014. He has come and gone from the show over the last decade. He was last on-screen back in November of 2025, when Paul arrived back in Salem for the dedication of the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the Days of Our Lives 60th anniversary celebration.
Colton Little, first began playing the all grown-up Andrew Donovan in 2022 on the Peacock limited series, Beyond Salem: Chapter 2. Little eventually moved to the mothership and Days of Our Lives in 2023. He was last seen on the soap opera back in March of this year in scenes with Peter Porte (Dimitri Von Leuschner) and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark).
In story, Andrew and Paul tied the knot in front of family and friends on June 24, 2025, which followed the heartbreaking funeral of Paul’s father, John Black, who had passed away several weeks earlier from injuries sustained in an explosion.
Photo: JAnchondoIG
Michael Fairman TV also confirmed the romance exclusively of Colton Little with former General Hospital actor, Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco Rios) at the end of December of 2025.
Anchondo shared at that time, “I reached out to him (Colton) when I got the job on GH. We knew of each other through mutual friends; so I knew of him for a long time. I started asking Colton about what his experience was like on soaps and asked about SAG health insurance, etc. We met up one night and were hooked from then on.”
So, are you excited to see Andrew and Paul back on your screens? Share your thoughts and if you would like to see them stay longer in Salem in the future, with a story all of their own via the comment section. But first, check out the just released promo for the action on Days of Our Lives entitled “Conspiracy” below featuring Christopher and Colton.
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