Renew your vows — Relive your moment — Refresh your romance!

Congratulations to the winning couples of PGE's 'I Do' Redo Contest. More than 100 couples were nominated throughout PGE's service area. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest with inspiring stories of love and commitment.

The winning couples were selected by a panel of judges, including:
Jill Spitznass, Editor, Portland Bride & Groom
John Erickson, Radio Personality, K103
Susie Norby, Circuit Court Judge, Clackamas County Courthouse
Carol Dillin, PGE Vice President, Public Policy
Sue Bunday, Vice President, Rose Festival Association and Chair of the Grand Floral Parade

To celebrate sustainable love, the winning couples will renew their vows on PGE's float in the KeyBank Grand Floral Parade on Sat., June 7. Stay tuned to PortlandGeneral.com/RoseFestival for more information and photos of the winning couples.

Refresh: 40+ years

Ralph and Patricia Evans
Portland, OR
Married 57 years

“It was like love at first sight.” That’s how Patricia (Pat) remembers the first time she met Ralph. It all began when Patricia saw a small letter in the Oregon Journal written by two lonesome Navy service men from Adak, Alaska lamenting the fact they never received letters at mail call. To their surprise, 385 letters poured in, including one from Pat Caudy, an 18-year-old Lewis & Clark College student. The sailors flipped a coin to see who would answer it and Ralph’s fate was sealed. For seven months, they wrote to each other and exchanged photographs, one of Pat which Ralph still carries in his wallet today. They met in person in Portland on June 9, 1950 where they attended the Rose Festival Synchronized Swimming event at Civic Stadium (now PGE Park). On the way back home in the taxi, Ralph gave Pat a big kiss and said, “Let’s make it last!” They were married on Sept. 2, 1950.

Patricia says the secret to sustaining their marriage for more than 57 years is always remembering that Ralph chose to write to her over everyone else and even through their ups and downs, how that special feeling has kept their bond strong.

Relive: 25-39 years

John and Denise Harding
Happy Valley, OR
Married 29 years

High school sweethearts Denise and John Harding say the secret to sustaining their marriage can be summed up in one word: commitment. Not only are they committed to each other, but their commitment to their children and extended family continues to strengthen their relationship. During his senior year at Franklin High School, John learned that his wrestling opponent and friend, Bob Lemon, had a cute sister. So he arranged a chance to get together at the Dairy Queen across from Franklin one evening. John and Denise saw each other again a few weeks later, began dating, fell in love, went to college together, got married on June 17, 1978 and raised three children. Denise taught school in the David Douglas School District and John worked his way up to Battalion Chief for Portland Fire & Rescue.

In October of 2004, their lives were shattered when Denise was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. John says that moment touched off the most amazing three years that any man could spend with a woman, because he learned how much Denise was loved by her children, her students, teachers and the community. With her cancer in remission, Denise made plans to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this June on a cruise in Italy and Greece. Unfortunately, it appears that her cancer has returned and she is not able to take the trip of her dreams. So John asked her to take a trip on PGE's float during the Grand Floral Parade to marry him all over again.

Renew: 10-24 years

Steven and Marilyn Fulton
Sherwood, OR
Married 21 years

At the 1986 Rose Festival, Marilyn posted an offer at the Waterfront Village Host-a-Sailor booth for a Naval officer — less than 30, over six feet, blue eyes and not married — to share Rose Festival with a young, single woman from Beaverton. Lt. Steve, the newest member of the USS CURTS answered the call. Steve and Marilyn hit it off immediately, touring the fleet, attending Navy League and Rose Festival Committee functions and spending time together at the GI Joe 500 and the attractions at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Steve sailed away at the end of Rose Festival, but the separation wasn't for long. Three weeks later, Marilyn vacationed with Steve in California and on the last night of their vacation, Steve proposed to Marilyn.

With 21 years of marriage behind them, the magic is still there. Their most romantic moment was when Marilyn, who is afraid of flying, traveled to Perth, Australia to surprise Steve when his ship arrived and they celebrated his 31st birthday Down Under. They say their strong relationship is rooted in three things: commitment, sharing and trust. They have supported each other through long military deployment separations, the rearing of two children and the day-to-day tribulations of life; but their commitment to their vows and love for each other has helped them overcome challenges along the way and kept their relationship strong.