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Greg
and Ellen Sawyer have been married for nineteen years. Tess and Monica's
assignment is to make sure they stay married well past twenty. Greg, a
successful Portland developer, is often too preoccupied with his work to
notice Ellen. But when securing a business deal takes precedence over
their twentieth anniversary celebration, Ellen begins to question her
marriage. When Monica, working as Ellen's assistant, helps her go
through some old boxes, Ellen discovers love letters from an old
boyfriend, a musician named Denny. The passionate letters reawaken
Ellen's sense of romance and she begins to wonder if she made a mistake
in marrying Greg instead of Denny. Meanwhile, Andrew refuses to sell
Greg a lucrative piece of property that would cement Greg's plans for a
waterfront condo. In the ensuing negotiations, Greg barely notices when
Ellen leaves to celebrate their anniversary alone at their cabin in the
woods. Instead of going to the cabin, Ellen detours to Oregon City, in
hopes of reuniting with Denny. She stops off at a hotel and meets Tess,
the bartender, who lovingly counsels her to return to her husband. But
as Ellen is leaving, she hears Denny's voice -- he is performing in the
hotel lounge. Listening to Denny sing his old love songs brings back
memories for Ellen and after the show the two catch up enthusiastically.
The next morning, Greg realizes that Ellen never made it to the cabin,
and learns that she spent the night at the hotel. Meanwhile, Ellen and
Denny walk through the park discussing Ellen's failing marriage. Though
he still loves her, Denny tells her to return to Greg and work things
out. Ellen agrees. Greg arrives to find Denny and Ellen kissing goodbye.
Greg is furious and punches Denny. Later, Greg and Ellen have it out,
and she explains her feelings of abandonment. Greg argues that he works
hard to provide and make a leisurely future possible. In a conversation
with Ellen, Monica reveals herself to be an angel, and reminds Ellen
that love is not a feeling, but a choice -- and a commitment that God is
calling her to make. At the same time, Greg goes to find Denny intending
to assault him again. Instead, he finds Andrew and once again tries to
secure the property. Andrew points out the absurdity of working a
business deal while his marriage is crumbling. Andrew tells Greg that he
is angel with a gift from God. God has given Greg the property, but with
this gift comes the responsibility to love and take care of it -- much
like the gift of marriage. When Greg finds Denny, he asks him the secret
to keeping Ellen happy. Denny tells him that Ellen likes roses and love
letters. Greg returns home with a bouquet of roses and tries to open the
channels of communication with Ellen. As Ellen and Greg recommit to
their marriage, they remember to make each other their first priority.
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