The couple who defeated California's same-sex marriage ban in 2013 said yes – again – in a vow exchange held 40,000 feet in the air

• Kris Perry and Sandy Stier are the first same-sex couple to get legally married in California.
• Their challenge to Proposition 8 in 2013 helped pave the way for marriage equality across the US.

A decade after they became the first LGBTQ+ couple to legally marry in California, Sandy Stier and Kris Perry took their love to new heights by renewing their vows on a flight bound for Tahiti.

Stier and Perry have a track record for memorable wedding ceremonies. In 2013, they were thrust into the spotlight when they became the first same-sex couple to get married in California after their challenge to Proposition 8 successfully overturned the state's ban on gay marriage. The ceremony, which took place in San Francisco's city hall, was officiated by none other than Vice President Kamala Harris, then serving as California's Attorney General.

But as historic as their legal wedding was, Perry and Stier said there was little time for romance. "When we were married by Kamala Harris, we didn't have time to do vows," Stier said. "She did our vows and we just said, 'Yes, I do. Yes, I do,' which is lovely, but it's different than really saying something in your own words."

10 years later and 40,000 feet up in the air, the couple finally had a chance to put into words exactly why they love each other.

During the Air Tahiti Nui flight, Stier and Perry said yes – again – in a vow renewal ceremony that took place in the business class cabin.

"At this stage of our lives, it was very meaningful," Perry said. "It felt different than the other times."

The couple also had nothing but praise for their latest officiant, Rodrigue Chan, one of the airline's openly gay Chief Pursers, according to an Air Tahiti Nui press release.

"He was so elegant and dignified and loving," Perry said. "He's also just gorgeous, like a runway model that comes out off the jet bridge with this French accent."

According to the couple, the captain announced the ceremony over loudspeaker and passengers of all ages clapped in their honor.

"It was very sweet," Stier said.

Stier and Perry hadn't given much thought to renewing their vows before

Prior to being contacted by Air Tahiti Nui, Stier and Perry hadn't given a vow renewal ceremony much thought.

They've been together since 1997 and had already been "married" a number of times, starting with what they refer to as their "fake wedding," a non-legal ceremony at a community park attended by friends and family in 2004.

Given they'd tied the knot "so many times," Perry said it "hadn't dawned" on them to consider renewing their vows.

"I would've never thought I'd do that," Stier added. "But I do feel having done it, that it's really important to reflect on your commitment to each other."

"I'm the least romantic person in the whole entire world," she said. "But when we decided to do it, I got excited about it. Number one, I love writing and I love writing to Kris, so that felt kind of fun."

The couple reflected on how their marriage has evolved

In her vows, Stier said she told Perry that after all these years, she still chooses her.

"I still love you. We've had 20 good years, 20 wonderful years," she said, recounting her words. "I hope we have 10 more. I long for 20 and possibly 30. Wouldn't that be an amazing life?"

What's more, the couple – who share four children – said they had a chance to reflect on their 20-plus years together, including their fight for marriage equality, through writing their vows.

"When you're young and you're wildly in love, you feel like there's so much passion and youthful energy," Stier said. "It changes over time."

But Stier and Perry said they're happy with the stage their marriage is in now.

"We're really focused on each other and really taking care of each other and exploring the world while we're at an age where we can really enjoy that," Stier said.

"The fight's over, now we can just have our life," Perry said.