Legends in Love : They’re icons, screen stars, political heroes. But they fall heads over heels just like the rest of us. Here are four tales of courtship and conjugal bliss, from the book ‘Marry Me.’ : Dale Evans and Roy Rogers

Married Dec. 31, 1947

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were on horseback ready to ride into the spotlight, if not the sunset, when he asked her to marry him. And in perfect keeping with the image of the King of the Cowboys, he did it with a song.

It all began in 1944 when Dale was assigned to her first Roy Rogers feature, “The Cowboy and the Senorita.” A radio, big band and nightclub vocalist, she didn’t even know how to ride a horse. But she and Roy “hit it off from the start,” reflects Dale today. “I, like his other leading ladies, loved Roy for the responsible, caring person he was.”

At that time, Roy was married with two small children, and Dale was a single mother with a teenage son, Tom. She had eloped at 14 and her husband abandoned her when Tom was a baby. When she arrived in Hollywood, the studio instructed Dale to say that Tom was her brother. But, along with Gabby Hayes and the Sons of the Pioneers, Dale says she considered herself part of Roy’s “Western family.”

Out of their wholesome on-screen relationship--it wasn’t Roy’s style to kiss his girl--the likable pair scored a radio contract and toured with Roy’s troupe on the rodeo circuit.

In 1946, Roy’s wife, Arlene, died suddenly from an embolism following the birth of their third child, Roy Jr.

Dale was starring in other pictures when Roy began inviting her to dinner and to drive up to see his children at his ranch by California’s Lake Hughes in Ventura County. “We enjoyed being together and had discussed his responsibility for Cheryl, Linda and Roy Jr.,” says Dale.

As she explains, “Our courtship grew out of a strong friendship, a long period of working side by side and a deep appreciation of each other.”

In September of 1947, Roy presented Dale with “a friendship ring.”

In October, Dale and Roy were astride their horses in the chutes at the Chicago Stadium waiting to be announced when Roy suddenly told her he loved her and gave her a star ruby ring. Dale thought it was a birthday present.

But then Roy asked, “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” which was also the title of a popular song. Dale understood this was a proposal, but she thought he was kidding.

“I am serious,” he said.

The announcer called their names and the couple galloped into the spotlight. On the way, Dale called out, “Let me think about it.”

After the show, she sat quietly and prayed. Even though she had always wanted a big family, there were the children to consider. She finally gave him her answer: Yes.

That New Year’s Eve, Roy and Dale, both 35, exchanged wedding vows during a blizzard at the Flying L Ranch near Oklahoma City. Roy said his vows in a suit and cowboy boots, and Dale wore a blue wool dress and jacket. Dale used Roy’s friendship ring for her wedding ring.

The couple’s 26 movies and three television series also featured their horses, Buttermilk and Trigger. Although they lost a 2-year-old daughter, Roy and Dale adopted four children and fostered another--”the big family I always wanted,” says Dale.

Their happy trails continue after nearly half a century.