the anniversary ritual of marking the very tree where they first kissed and carved their love with a mark for each year
592115
The warning bells start ringing early with this one.  The fairy tale romance that started as two inseparable children, the anniversary ritual of marking the very tree where they first kissed and carved their love with a mark for each year.  Then, the unthinkable happens and she is snatched off the dock while they are skinny dipping on said anniversary and he is in the water.  By a serial killer of course, who brands her with his initial.  This all in the beginning, which is actually the best and most believable part of the book.
4022258
Gave to wife as anniversary, gotta say she loved it
2385009
I read this book because of a personal connection--Yvonne and Piet were my neighbors when I was a kid. We didn't live on the same street, but they lived just through the woods from us. Their daughter used to babysit me and I adored her immensely. I remember wandering through the trees over to the Aarden house and being welcomed with open arms. So when I found out that Yvonne had written a memoir, I had to read it.

The most compelling part of this book is the first part, when we learn the story of how Yvonne and Piet met. She was a nun, he was a priest...and the rest is history. It's a giddy, whirlwind love story that put a huge smile on my face, and I was fascinated to hear of their life as they exited the religious life to marry each other.

The other part that was especially interesting to me was hearing about how they built their home in the woods of Wisconsin. My parents would build a house on a lot next to theirs about seven years later, so this story felt especially personal, and I could envision everything about their beautiful wooded hideaway, because I've been there. I used to wander for hours in the woods on trails between our houses. Those are some of my best childhood memories, and I realize now they must have been the trails that Piet created. My parents still live in those woods and, by the way, I am none too happy with the current owner of the Aarden's house, who has cut down tons of trees on their side, so the woods are not nearly as thick as they used to be!

All in all, <i>Intersecting Heartbeats</i> is a beautiful story of a life well-lived. The writing is simple and conversational, and Yvonne's enthusiasm for life, and the way she pours herself wholeheartedly into every endeavor shine through. I finished it feeling inspired to live every day to the fullest and to pursue connection and vibrancy, as it is clear Yvonne does. What a lovely book :-)
3177218
We bought our first house this year, and I try to get at least one ornament every year to commemorate a big event in our lives, and this fit the bill perfectly! It's elegant and encompasses the feelings we have of our new home. Also love that it has the year on it.
1601146
I bought this as a gift to my mother...Hallmark is notorious for commemorating life events they are known for their greeting card,movies, and their ornaments amoungst other things. This year out of the blue My deeply faithful mother decided correct a mistake..She got herself out of a very unhappy 15 year marriage to a morbidly obese and drunk man whom she knew she should have never married and decided to remarry my dad whom she had been divorced from for some 32 years...In our life its a very much a GOD thing. Heres the thing both my dad and my mom kept seeing feathers individually he'd find feathers at work in a mechanic shop where feathers aren't supposed to be and she'd find them in her car and at her work in an office and they took that as a sign that this was a heaven sent message to remarry each other...This ornament not only has the year they remarried but a feather to remind them the best is yet to come
3488811
GAVE THIS CRYSTAL CROSS TO A DEAR COUPLE CELEBRATING THEIR 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY..  RECEIPENTS WERE AMAZED AT THE BEAUTIFUL DETAIL AND WHAT THE "CROSS" MEANS TO THEM.
1005220
This was an awesome gift to use as a guest page. They did a great job on redesign since I changed some of the wording. They sent me proofs to check. I was very pleased with this Anniversary Tree and would recommend it for anyone to just frame or to use like we did for the anniversary. It is a beautiful picture done on high quality paper. All my contact with this company was done on a much appreciated personal level.
862646
Very pretty! Perfect gift for a first anniversary (the year of the clock). The couple loved the idea and meaning behind this gift.
756418
I really rated this book a 31/2 stars. This book is a compilations of the milestone celebrations of Darcy and Elizabeth. There 1st Xmas, Valentines day, Easter and so on. It starts out with there preparation of there 1st Xmas and a little miss communication which easily is resolved. Through out the book you see how they start to jell as a couple through misunderstandings and there love for each other. I did feel that the beginning was a little flat for me but as the story progressed it was more involved and there was the meeting back at Rosings and Lady Catherine. It was wonderful to see this confrontation and how Lizzy and Darcy handled it. Each milestone is met with different circumstances and was diverting to read. Definitely worth reading.
270859
It's perfect and my two sisters and I all bought one as a memory of our yearly time together.
The quality and beauty of it are very special !

Sandy
Laguna Woods, CA
359113
The book is a frame narrative, in which four traveling strangers take a sentimental journey into their own pasts, to share their reminiscence of a special love in their past.

Each account wonderfully evokes a time of innocence, sweetness, and youth, in which the focus of one's life was on one's love, and at a time in life in which the traveler was as yet unaffected by the cares of parenthood, heavy duty, or mature responsibility.

This book is a delightful, compelling read.

This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone who will be celebrating a romantic occasion, considering one's own young loves, thinking about the meaning of passion and ardor, or, ultimately, considering the meanings of one's own life and the journeys it has taken.

The book is a must read for any reader, from young adult on.

Moreover, the sweetness of the book marks it as a book that can be read by all.
3449728
This was the perfect anniversary gift for my wife.  Being that the traditional gift is wood this wood encased pen with 5th anniversary engraved on it and beautiful engraving on the wood base.  It comes in a white box with silver elastic band and it is wrapped in tissue paper and encased in a cloth presentation bag.  She was thrilled when she received it.
4185601
This is a lovely piece. The birds representing the family members make it truly special. You specify the number of birds and also personalize with name and date. A perfect anniversary gift for my parents 50th anniversary. The artist did a beautiful job, and I received sooner than expected, within a week of ordering. I recommend the 11 x14 or larger.
3397235
I love this book so much. It has impacted our Christmases very much, it has started two Christmas traditions for us: buying a Christmas book each year and how we choose our Christmas trees. The illustrations are also darling.

For me I love how this book is just about showing someone how you appreciate their existence - and also a love for nature (the role the tree plays for the animals). I just feel like I could read this at any time of year and it would be just as wonderful
2372942
Throughout history, mankind has participated in a variety of rituals and celebrations. Some are somber and fairly simple (a wake, a funeral procession), while others are quite festive and elaborate (Mardi Gras in New Orleans, carnaval in Brazil).

DANCING IN THE STREETS, by prolific author and historian Barbara Ehrenreich, explains in great detail how and why human beings have come together to mark special occasions, the process by which these rituals have been passed down through the centuries, and what the events mean to participants.

Many of the rituals were planned and/or timed to celebrate a particular happening, such as a wedding, the bounty of the harvest, a funeral, or the rite of passage into adulthood. They often included many of the following components: a certain type of costume or dress, special foods and beverages, music and dancing, masks, body painting, headgear, etc. Certainly these celebrations frequently centered on a procession, a parade or athletic contests.

One only need to think about current-day Olympic games to realize just how much of the pageantry, ritual and symbolism has remained and been expanded upon. The special costumes (all team members of an individual nation are dressed alike), the opening ceremony (which includes the Parade of the Nations and proud flag waving), the lighting of the Olympic torch (which officially begins the competition) and music (the playing of the various national anthems at the medals ceremonies) tend to draw the observer in, making him or her feel like an integral part of the activities. When watching the Olympics on television, one is briefly transported to another time and place, where the similarities and successes (not the differences) of various cultures are being celebrated.

Cave drawings depicted dancing, masks and costumes. Dance was a common theme of ancient Greek art. French Revolutionary festivals included military parades, uplifting marches and officers in splendid uniforms. Explorers and missionaries who observed strange rituals (involving dance, fire, music and costumes) performed by darker skinned individuals were startled, puzzled and upset by what they saw. Even Darwin could not understand the stomping/dancing in unison by western Australian men as they beat their clubs and spears together. The drumming, the chanting and the music drew the observer in and encouraged him to participate and become part of the group.

Even today, at ballparks across the nation, fans are costumed in jerseys, caps and tee shirts emblazoned with their favorite team's logo. Some paint their faces or bare chests the colors of their team. One person moves a certain way, and soon thousands in the stadium are doing "the wave." And music? It might be a cheesy-sounding organ blaring "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" that causes spectators to stand, sway and sing along. Or a lively video is projected onto a huge screen, and soon fans are screaming "We Are Family." For a brief period of time they are part of a friendly crowd --- folks with whom they share a common bond, however briefly. When doing "the wave" or cheering on their team, they aren't strangers.

Barbara Ehrenreich laments the fact that we are very lonely people who lead separate and individual lives. Even though we may have strong family ties and/or find comfort and strength in religion, Ehrenreich firmly believes that we need to create more opportunities for people to experience and express collective joy.

  --- Reviewed by Carole Turner
564729
this was the perfect anniversary gift for my husband.  i was looking for somethign heart felt and unique - this fit the bill.  it's different, but such a wonderful love gift.  perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and valentine's day. the box it comes in is also nice for gift giving.
948402
For some time now, my adult (24) granddaughter and I have adopted this phrase to acknowledge our love for one another.  When I saw this pendant  I knew I had to get it for her as a constant reminder of my love for her.  She loves it!
I could not be more thrilled.  It is of extremely good quality. Thank you so very much.