Washington Retirement Community Hosts Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony for 8 Elderly Couples

The Touchmark on South Hill Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington celebrated love and commitment on Valentine's Day.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A Washington retirement community hosted a special Valentine's Day event that gave more than half a dozen couples, some married for over 60 years, the chance to renew their wedding vows. The Touchmark on South Hill Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington held the "Our Forever Again Vow Renewal" ceremony, where eight couples participated in the celebration of love and commitment.

Why it matters

The vow renewal ceremony at the Touchmark retirement community highlights the enduring nature of long-term relationships and the importance of celebrating love, even in the later stages of life. It showcases how retirement communities can foster a sense of community and provide meaningful experiences for their residents.

The details

During the event, each couple walked down the aisle and led in a set of vows, including the line "I choose you again, not just for who you were, but for who you are today." The couples ranged in years of marriage, with the longest-married couple, Nadine and Bob Finley, celebrating 73 years together on Valentine's Day.

  • The Touchmark on South Hill Retirement Community held the "Our Forever Again Vow Renewal" event on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2026.
  • Nadine and Bob Finley celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2026.

The players

Touchmark on South Hill Retirement Community

A retirement community located in Spokane, Washington that hosted the wedding vow renewal ceremony.

Nadine and Bob Finley

A couple who celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day 2026.

Joan and Ed Schlect

A couple who met while working at Washington State College (now WSU) and raised three baseball-playing sons together.

Gayle and Gaynel Gering

A couple who met in high school in Ritzville, Washington and are set to celebrate 68 years of marriage on June 21, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“She's supported me in everything I've done. Be kind to your wife.”

— Ed Schlect (Spokesman-Review)

“Our faith is important. Our kids say we've been good examples for them, and that's so humbling. We're just plain old people.”

— Joan Schlect (Spokesman-Review)

“He's always been such a gentleman. He always opens the door for me and insists I enter the elevator first.”

— Gaynel Gering (Spokesman-Review)

What’s next

The Touchmark on South Hill Retirement Community plans to continue hosting the "Our Forever Again Vow Renewal" event annually on Valentine's Day to celebrate the love and commitment of its residents.

The takeaway

The wedding vow renewal ceremony at the Touchmark retirement community demonstrates the enduring power of love and the importance of celebrating long-term relationships, even in the later stages of life. It serves as an inspiring example of how retirement communities can foster a sense of community and provide meaningful experiences for their residents.