He did it for her.

What they did gave the producers of a cable TV show ``the most inspiring story from the sweetest couple.''

Michelle and Rick Rosello recently gave up their Florida casual look to get all spiffed up for ``A Makeover Story,'' a new television series that grants makeovers to deserving people.

The Tampa couple was given a shopping spree and makeovers at a Hyde Park salon.

Michelle, 31, says she submitted their story to The Learning Channel show because she wanted to reward Rick on his 30th birthday for all he has done for her.

Rick, a Federal Express carrier, says he was willing to give up his jeans and T-shirts for a day. He would even get a facial if it would make Michelle happy.

``I'm flattered that my wife wanted me to have this day,'' he says. ``I just want her to have a good time because she deserves all the attention.''

Eight years ago Michelle was injured in an automobile accident. At first, doctors thought there was only a pulled muscle in her neck.

It turned out to be more serious - a spinal injury that resulted in nerve damage. Doctors told her she she would never walk again.

Rick, her fiance at the time, stood by her. Now married for six years, the couple faced her long, slow recovery together. Michelle is walking again, but remains disabled, her skull fused to her spine.

``He has been so wonderful to me, taking care of me and doing everything to help around the house and make sure all my needs were taken care of,'' she says. ``He put me on a pedestal, and I wanted to give him a day in which he was made to feel special.''

TO REWARD RICK for taking care of her, she submitted their story to Banyan Productions, which produces ``Makeover'' for The Learning Channel.

The Rosellos were picked, and a film crew came to Tampa from Sept. 28-30 in time to celebrate Rick's birthday.

``The whole point of the show is to follow people as their attitudes change when their appearance changes,'' says associate producer Amy Procacci. ``This couple turned out to be very sweet. It's a great story.''

The series, which began Sept. 23, airs at noon weekdays on TLC. The episode featuring the Rosellos airs today. Procacci says they had been taping makeovers for six months.

The film crew and producers took the couple shopping for new duds in Old Hyde Park Village. He went to Tommy Bahama and she went to Georgette's. On Sept. 30, the two spent most of an afternoon at the Alan G. Ledo Salon on Swann Avenue.

Friends and family members also were interviewed for the program.

For hours, Rick and Michelle were kept apart, while each had custom hairstyling and a facial. Cameras recorded their reactions when they saw each other for the first time after the makeovers.

``She looked like a movie star,'' says Rick. ``She's attractive anyway, but she looked just awesome. It was an exhausting day, but it was worth it.''

``He was just so handsome,'' Michelle says. ``I started shaking when I saw him. I wanted to run away and get married all over again.''

Michelle told the producers Rick had only one suit that he wears to funerals and weddings. Michelle's usual attire is tank tops and shorts.

Rick recalls the last time they got dressed up to go out was a Christmas party two years ago.

so overwhelming, but I really liked the way Rick seemed to feel at the end of the day about his new clothes.''

When a stylist cut her long hair (by about 6 inches), Michelle cried again.

``They were worried about my reaction until I told them, these were good tears,'' she says. ``I cried because the last time I had my hair cut so short was for my second surgery when my head was shaved.''

A makeup artist accented Michelle's eyes.

``She told me my eyes were the focal point of my face and amazingly, Rick said the same thing when he saw the new look,'' she says.

Holly Shioleno of the salon says Michelle's makeover was dramatic, including new coloring in her hair and makeup that accented her high cheekbones and eyes.

Rick's transformation was not as dramatic.

``I wear my hair fairly short anyway,'' he says. His biggest change was in the clothing: a yellow silk shirt, alligator belt and shoes, and a straw hat - ``things that I don't usually wear.''

That night the two unveiled their new look to family and friends at a party at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Michelle says people told her she was more beautiful than on her wedding day.

The Rosellos say they are trying to maintain their new looks, but more importantly, says, Michelle, they are trying to maintain the special feelings they shared that day.