Shirley Chimes seems so reserved, so self-effacing, it's hard to imagine that she took part in what was one of the most startling events of the still young-and-rockin' boomer generation:

On July 1, 1982, Chimes was a bride in the mass wedding of 2,075 couples - many still strangers to each other - who were married in Madison Square Garden by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

To this day, Chimes' wedding gown - identical to all the others, with a modest scoop neck and full sleeves - might as well be a designer original, so tenderly is it packed away in her Westminster home "close to me."

This Valentine's week, love will likely be a recurring theme, with many interpretations. For Shirley and Jim Chimes, love has meant marriage and family, and it's what they've found at the Unification Church, 3418 W. 14th Ave.

The church follows the teachings of the Korean-born Moon, now 90, who built an international movement teaching that he was sent to complete Jesus' work as messiah, and that strong families lead to world peace. Since the get-go, his followers have been tagged with the name Moonies and forever associated with mass weddings.

On Sunday, the Denver church celebrated a new generation of Moon "matches" with two young church members.

Last week, in New York City, Sammi Fleisher, 22, was "matched" with Sjoerd Vanderstok, 28, a Dutch building designer with U.S. citizenship, currently living in Connecticut. Elysia Mahardy, 17, was matched with Jonathan Swarts, 19, who is in the Air Force.

The matches are so new, both women tripped over their new names when talking to the flock. Fleisher joked she was still learning how to pronounce her new name.

About 75 percent of Moon marriages endure, says the pastor, the Rev. Michael Hentrich. (His 1982 linkup with wife Shigeko is one of them.) That said, "Our life isn't for everybody; it's not just about happiness and the pursuit of love."

It's also about achieving world peace through solid families, he says. The rules are: Singlehood is incomplete, man-woman marriage is the norm and sex belongs only in marriage. Sammi and Elysia went through a religious ceremony Jan. 31, but both women don't plan to marry legally for perhaps a year or more.

Both young women are composed and serious-minded. Elysia solemnly notes her young age and the prudence of being cautious before taking on daily marriage. Sammi plans someday to open her own nonprofit, devoted to international peace.

In the meantime, they're over-the-top happy with their guys, and talk to them hours each day, by phone and by text.

"For us, marriage is a beginning point, not an end," Sammi says. "First you develop like a brother- sister relationship and go from there to create a dynamic and deep relationship."

Sammi was one of the last to be picked by Moon himself - in the future, families will do more matchmaking. Sammi got word Jan. 16 of the name of her future husband, whom she had seen only from afar at some church events. On hearing his name she thought, "Wow! Who is he?"

Elysia had noticed Jon at church events back East. At age 14, she asked her parents if they could pursue a match with Jon's parents. After prayer, they did.

"He was my best friend right off the bat," Elysia says. "Sometimes he's like an older brother; sometimes he's my goofy best friend; sometimes he's like my husband. It's a really nice, family-centered mix of relationships."

Speak to the Chimes about the long haul. They've endured joy and sorrow. Her Catholic family was deeply upset. The truce went like this: "They've cut me out of the will, but they love my Jim."

The Chimes had financial pressure when their kids arrived; it stressed the marriage. They gave away one of their three sons to a family who couldn't have children, a common Moon practice. She became seriously ill in the late 1990s, "(but that) cemented our marriage," Jim says.

Says Shirley, "All I ever wanted was a happy marriage, which is what Father Moon sees. If you are willing to love unconditionally, you can be happy on this Earth."