Tom and Gloria Carter celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 10, 2014 with a vow renewal and reception at Pine Terrace Baptist Church’s Family Activities Building. They were married May 8, 1964 at the First Methodist Church in Milton.
They have two daughters and sons-in-law, Heidi and Andy DeGuire and Keena and Travis Oran, all of Milton. Gloria and Tom enjoy their six grandchildren: Joey, Danny, Johnny and Abby DeGuire; Kinsley and Luke Oran.
Tom and Gloria meet at Pensacola Junior College. During their 50 years together they have had many adventures traveling many of the 48 states, a bit of Canada, and excursions to several European countries and Mexico. They tent camped for 32 years, including two weeks in Switzerland, Germany, and France. The last 17 years, they have enjoyed traveling with their Airstream trailer. Tom and Gloria have enjoyed bus tours and Caribbean cruises. Over the years they have tried water skiing, snow skiing, hot air ballooning, snorkeling, swimming with the manatees. and have hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon five times, once a two day trek from the south rim to the north rim.
The anniversary celebration dubbed, "You're still the one,” was scheduled to be held outdoors at the home of Andy and Heidi De Guire, but due to inclement weather, was held at the church. The room was divided into an area for the vow renewal with white chairs, a small stage decorated with palms and a white trellis featuring a gold and white tulle bow. The reception area was set up with round tables. Each table had a different centerpiece using yellow roses and blue mums. Gold Hersey Kisses and gold “50” confetti were sprinkled on the white tablecloths. A special table for the honorees was covered with a gold table cloth and set formally with Heidi's white gold edged China. The centerpiece was a bouquet of yellow roses arranged in a Depression glass bowl passed down from Gloria's mother. A memory table held a framed photograph of Tom and Gloria made on their wedding day, a framed photo of Tom's grandparents on their 50th with an invitation and a napkin, and a framed photo taken on Gloria's parents 50th and their cake topper. Also on the table were scrapbooks of Tom and Gloria's travels and their original wedding book. A gift table held a plaque made by grandson, Joey DeGuire, "You're still the one," and a hand crocheted afghan made by David Raisler. Among other gifts was a special bath towel and mat set embroidered with “HOLIDAY INN, MAY 8, 1964” (where they stayed on their honeymoon) given by daughters and sons, Heidi, Keena, Andy and Travis.
Gloria and Tom came down the aisle to the song "Built on Amazing Grace." Each of the six grandchildren gave Gramma a long stemmed yellow rose, as she and Papa came in. Then they took their places as witnesses. Andy gave a brief testimony about the ups and downs of the last 50 years and how God has brought Tom and Gloria thru. Most recently were the miracles of Heidi’s survival from a brain aneurysm (with a one percent chance of survival), and Tom's recovery from stage IV bladder cancer. The daughters read from the love chapter. The vows were exchanged and Gloria and Tom walked out to "You're still the one".
Tom wore a grey suit with a yellow rose boutonnière. Gloria wore a floor length dress featuring a white bodice with a scoop neckline embellished with gold and silver crystals. The champagne skirt was tiers of ruffles with the same embellishment at the waist. She carried the Bible she carried in their wedding with yellow sweetheart roses and babies breathe arranged and tied with a champagne ribbon and two gold hearts. The same Bible has been carried by the daughters, three nieces and Gloria's mother in her 50-year vow renewal. The granddaughters wore blue sequined dresses and a crown of baby’s breath. The older grandsons wore light blue shirts and dark pants. The youngest grandson wore a blue stripped vest and pants.
During the meal, a slide show of Tom and Gloria's life and adventures played with background music with songs from the past including "If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it with you," "I still get that honeymoon feeling," "You're still the one," and the song that helped Tom thru his chemo, "Feelin' fine".
Tom and Gloria own and operate Carter Photography, a wedding and portrait business serving Milton and surrounding areas. Tom won many awards through the Professional Photographers of America and the Florida Professional Photographers and served as president for the local guild. He was also employed by the Press Gazette and the University of West Florida as staff photographer. Tom also served 3 years in the U.S. Army as an Army photographer in Europe and Arizona.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Celebrating 50 years together