Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Monday, December 18, 2006

24 Years of Wedded Bliss

Twenty-four years ago today I was pledging my life to Gregory Gist. One of the smartest moves I ever made. He has given me a wonderful family heritage from the Gist side, he has been--and continues to be--my best friend, my hero and the love of my life.

To celebrate, he took me out to dinner last night and gave me some Dannelle Woody jewelry. Dannelle Woody is a local artist who has one or two shows a year. I never miss them. All of her jewelry comes with the Scripture that inspired the piece.

I had totally forgotten that Greg had met her one time at the mall while I was with him and that they exchanged cards. But he hung onto Dannelle's card, contacted her and commissioned these pieces for our anniversary. I have many, many pieces of Dannelle's and never have I seen one that moved me as much as this one.

I love that the embracing couple is welded onto the cross--symbolizing that Christ is at the center of their love. And this time, instead of including the Scripture on a notecard, Dannelle engraved a Scripture that Greg picked out on the back of the cross.

Greg told me that my book covers inspired Dannelle. And when I looked again at the cross, I saw that the woman was wearing a gown similar to the one on the cover of Lady and that her foot was peeking out from beneath her skirts. How special is that?

My photos don't do the pieces justice, though. I wish you could see these crystals. Dannelle almost always uses antiques and they sparkle like nobody's business. All of her pieces are originals. So no one in the whole world will have a cross like this.

I cried when I put it on, because I knew that this jewelry would become some of my all-time favorite and that it would be heirlooms that would be passed down to my children and then to their children and so on.

I pray that God will continue to bless both my marriage and Dannelle's work . (I would send you to her website, but she doesn't have one. When she gets one, though, I will be sure to let you know!)

Thanks for letting me gush. I'm just so full up I can hardly stand it!

posted by Deeanne at 10:07 AM

7 Comments:

Anonymous said...: That's absolutely beautiful!

The marriage, I mean. And the jewelry is gorgeous, too!

Congratulations on all those years of wedded happiness!
daisy4given said...: Congrats, that is fantastic! You look so adorable and in love in both pictures. It's so great to see how God has blessed your marriage! :)
Barb said...: Well, he's just a little romantic! Your smiles look as beamy as they did on your wedding day!
Jenster said...: Congratulations! Definitely very gushworthy!!

Sweet pictures and I do love that jewelry. It's doubly special for you! That's so cool. :o)

Jen
Sharlene MacLaren said...: What a precious story, Dee. Thanks for sharing. And guess what--our 31st anniversary is tomorrow!!! Don't you love having a holiday/Christmas anniversary? We always comment that it's so nice of folks to decorate their restaurants just for us on our special day.

It's such a festive time of year for a wedding. And, in fact, we're going to one this weekend! Ah, love is in the air! So glad hubby and I are still gushing over each other.

Abundant Christmas and Anniversary Blessings!

Shar
Deeanne said...: Thanks, girls. I've been wearing my jewelry all day and I keep looking at it. You know, how you looked at your engagment ring all the time when you first got it and it made you feel all warm and happy inside? Same thing with this new stuff Greg gave me.

I walk around sighing all the time. There's just been no livin' with me! ;-)

Congrats, Shar! 31 years. That's awesome!
Sandy said...: I love the embracing couple! Beautiful!! Next yr. is the big *silver* year. Congrats.