WITH SWEET REWARDS FOR WINNING COUPLES AND PARTICIPATING SALES ASSOCIATES

The 2006 PGI and Glamour Magazine-sponsored "Couple of the Year" contest held last fall drew hundreds of entrants nationwide, who shared their unique stories about how their love had "Just Gone Platinum."

"We were overwhelmed by the response," said PGI's Michelle Peranteau.  "These stories were extremely personal and moving, and narrowing it down to the top four "Just Gone Platinum" love stories was no easy feat."

Yet standing out most, according to a panel of PGI and Glamour Magazine judges, were the platinum love stories of:

April Hudson and John Walters -  Dublin, Ohio
April Shattuck Mickles and Greg Mickles - Selah, Washington
Debra Ostrander and Joe Sands - Coronado, California
Lida Parker and Brandon Barniea - Annapolis, Maryland

Per contest rules, each couple was required to submit a completed entry form along with a photo and short essay describing how their love had "Just Gone Platinum." 

"I knew our love had gone Platinum ten months after our wedding, when I was diagnosed with cancer," said April Shattuck Mickles.  Greg held me tightly, reassuring me we'd get through it together, one day at a time.  Our platinum love -- strong, enduring and beautiful -- represents a bond between us that will withstand whatever life brings us."

Debra Ostrander of Coronado, California, knew her and fiancé Joe's love had gone platinum the moment Joe expressed his desire to adopt Debra's two children.  "Considering my five-year-old daughter suffers from severe mental retardation and autism, Joes' expression of love, patience and respect for me and our children is more than any woman could ever ask for."

The four winning couples won their choice of a customized Glamour "Day of Beauty" before their wedding, or a $500 gift check to use toward their honeymoon or a romantic getaway.

THE COUPLES WEREN'T THE ONLY WINNERS

During the sweepstakes, platinum sales associates were linked to registering couples.  Once the winners were determined, the four sales associates who registered the four couples became winners too - earning a spa treatment or dinner for two.  And, a "Platinum Shopping Experience" went to the four sales associates who submitted the most "Couple of the Year" entry forms.
 
Together, PGI and Glamour Magazine not only discovered extraordinary tales of the heart, but helped sales associates nationwide connect with countless couples whose love had "Just Gone Platinum."