• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Bridal Bliss: Connie and Elliot

The second marriage for both of them, older couple Connie and Elliot wed in a beautiful Maryland ceremony.
By · Updated October 29, 2020

See photos from Connie and Elliott’s Wedding »

Check out more weddings in Bridal Bliss »

Bride: Connie Henson, 48

Groom: Elliott Gibson Sr., 55

Occupations: Henson, administrative officer of the U.S. Courts and graduate student; Gibson, retired police captain.

Homebase: Upper Malboro, Maryland

Wedding Date: Friday, June 27, 2008

Love at Third Sight: Though they met over 23 years ago, the best friends would marry and divorce other mates before looking to each other for love. “We spent so much time together: talking on the phone, going to the movies, eating dinner. But I never saw him as anything other than a wonderful friend,” Connie recalls. “He always had a girlfriend, and I enjoyed the single life. Then, we both married other people in 1991.”

Sealed With a Kiss: “My mother always encouraged us to date, but he was never my type. He was a ‘nice guy,’ ” recalls Connie with a laugh. As feelings began to develop, Connie decided a kiss would be the ultimate test. “Either there will be a spark or it’ll feel like I’m kissing my brother,” she explains. The result? “I felt butterflies.”

Perfect Timing: “I never thought I’d find love again,” confesses the mother of two. “I was divorced with kids and in my 40’s.” Some friends and family members echoed Connie’s doubts. “Everyone thought I was crazy,” she says with a chuckle. “But God opened up my heart to receive Elliott for such a time as this. Had this happened before, I wouldn’t have been ready. I needed to work on myself before looking for love a second time.”

Love Yourself First: “There were things about me that weren’t positive,” Connie admits. “I was codependent and a people pleaser.” As part of a long journey toward self-improvement, the newlywed “went into counseling and relied on faith and family,” for support. “Now, I’m stronger, less concerned about what people think and more focused on being a good person,” she explains. “When it came time to date, I wasn’t looking for someone to complete me. I was complete when Elliott found me.”

###PAGE###

Family Circle: The lovebirds describe the union of their families as a difficult, but rewarding, process. Connie has two daughters (age 17 and 9) and Elliott has two sons (age 30 and 19) and one daughter (age 14) from prior relationships. “We talked a lot about blending our family even before we were married,” Connie recalls. “When he was dating me, he was dating my kids too. He’d always spend time with us—eating dinner and playing games.” Once the newlyweds decided to marry, they turned to counseling to make the transition easier. “He is an invaluable help, picking up the kids while I’m at school. I’m very blessed to have him in my life and my children’s lives.”

Keeping the Magic Alive: The Obamas aren’t the only couple who believes in the importance of dating. The Gibsons set aside time to enjoy each other’s company every week, on Friday night. “Because my time was very limited with a job, two kids and grad school, we made Friday night “date night.” We’d go to the movies, go out dancing or sometimes just spend a quiet evening at home together. ” ‘Date night’ became such a staple in their relationship that they held their wedding on the ‘ultimate date night,’ Friday, June 27. “That ‘date night’ and every ‘date night’ since is special to us. It’s our time. I still get giddy on Friday nights.”

Bridal Budget Bite: According to Connie, brides-to-be can look like a million bucks without breaking the budget. Her rule-of-thumb when dress shopping: always look for sales. “I took a girlfriend with me to David’s Bridal just to look around. But when I saw a great dress on sale from $1,000 to $399, I had to purchase it that day,” recalls Connie. And don’t rule out social currency, she adds. “I didn’t realize how expensive makeup was, but the artist cut me a break because she was recommended by a mutual friend.”

 

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now