'I do': Number 2

Photos courtesy of Pete and Christine Haessler

Pete and Christine Haessler (left) of Moneta renewed their wedding vows last year; they were married in 1994 (right).

Photos courtesy of Pete and Christine Haessler

Pete and Christine Haessler (left) of Moneta renewed their wedding vows last year; they were married in 1994 (right).

When Chris and Diane Hancock started dating in 1987, they kept their relationship top-secret.

"I'm a physical therapy assistant and he was my supervisor," said Diane Hancock.

Seven years ago, Chris Hancock had a secret of his own. For months, he'd been planning a marriage vow renewal ceremony for their 15th wedding anniversary. He'd even invited one of the pastors that married them in 1988 to assist with the ceremony.

Diane Hancock was none the wiser.

"I'm such a romantic," said Chris Hancock. "It totally disgusts my wife."

But he said he also was intrigued by the spiritual reconnection that vow renewal represents.

A few weeks before the big day, Chris Hancock blindsided his wife with the news when he stood up at Resurrection Catholic Church and spilled the beans.

"She had no idea what I was getting up for," he said. "I asked her if she would renew our vows with me in front of the church. Thankfully, she didn't embarrass me and say no."

Chris Hancock also invited other couples in the church to join them for the renewal service, and several weeks later, the special event, scheduled outside of mass, was held.

About 30 couples joined the Hancocks to restate their love and commitment, said Diane Hancock. In attendance were the Hancocks' four children, now ages 17 to 9.

"They made a really big deal about it," she said. "They had a banquet downstairs and some cake and a lot of people came."

Diane Hancock said she wore a long red dress for the recommitment ceremony in honor of their wedding song.

"Our song was 'Lady in Red,' which doesn't make sense because I was in white," Diane Hancock recalled. "At our wedding, he had the little flower girl and ring bearer bring us 12 red roses and red ribbon. So, I was the lady in white with a bunch of red ribbon all over me."

Since that first commitment ceremony, Resurrection has held annual vow renewal services for couples celebrating five-year milestones. Among those who have taken part: Pete and Christine "Chris" Haessler, who renewed their vows last year in celebration of their 15th wedding anniversary.

The Haesslers moved to Moneta almost five years ago from Connecticut and immersed themselves in activities at the Resurrection parish. A couple years ago, a couple they knew renewed their vows. With their 15th coming up, Chris Haessler said she made sure she'd be off work in 2009 for the vow renewal ceremony.

"I think it's a really great tradition," said Chris Haessler. "It kind of brought the church together and it was a happy occasion."

Chris Haessler said their children --Karl, 11, and Beth, 7 -- enjoyed getting dressed up and seeing their parents retie the knot.

"They were tickled to see us 'married,'" said Chris Haessler. "It was just really nice that the kids got to see the service."

The Haesslers met in high school in 1985. He was a junior. She was a freshman. They dated on and off through Chris's college years in Boston. Pete popped the question in 1993 and they married the following year.

Chris Haessler said she enjoyed renewing their vows and recommitting themselves to each other.

"They just made it really special," she said. "It wasn't overdone; it was really nice."

The Haesslers are considering doing it again for their 20th anniversary. The Hancocks had their second renewal -- for 20 years -- in 2008 and plan to do it a third time for their 25th.

"It's good to recommit yourself in your marriage," said Diane Hancock. "It's just a way for us to grow closer."

She said marriage isn't always easy and she and her husband have faced challenges. But reminding themselves now and then of the love that blossomed more than 20 years ago has helped push them through the hard times.

"There's such a high divorce rate," said Diane Hancock. "You almost want to challenge that and say: No, I'm going to beat the odds and stick with it."