Words can describe

My husband and I took 25 years to become the right people for each other.

Bobby and I were great friends in high school, but he was busy dating my best friend, and I was “just one of the guys.” We stayed in contact off and on over the years, but nearly three years ago we reconnected again through a mutual friend.

I suppose I wasn’t “one of the guys” anymore, because exactly six months later we were married. It isn’t always a cakewalk with blending a family, but I treasure every minute. I have a fabulous family, a wonderful, handsome husband, and they are all my Valentines!

Kathy Krips

Costa Mesa

James and I met while in college, and it was then that I became a believer in “love at first sight.”

I knew he was the one for me. Our attraction has remained continuous, but the deep internal love and connection we have continues to grow.

My husband I have been through so much together. We have triumphed over so many obstacles and tragedies. His constant love and support are more than any woman could ask for. I love him for his endless love and support. His devotion and kindness when I have been at my worst have helped me come back from my darkest hours.

He is my best friend, partner and soul mate. Our love has stood the test of time and is now being celebrated by the birth of our first son at the end of the month.

We have waited for this moment for so long, and I already know he will continue his love for us by being a great father. I want him to know how much I love him and appreciate him!

Adele Molica

Costa Mesa

This past New Year’s Eve marked the 41st anniversary of my first date with my sweet and loving wife, Susan. It was a set-up contrived by mutual friends. It worked: We danced all that night, began dating and were married eight months later.

She’s the most patient, loving, kind person I’ve ever known. We’ve stayed together all these years in great part because we follow the message we always write in young friends’ wedding cards:

“For our young friends it’s a wonderful day,

So, we both just wanted to say,

For a long happy life

As husband and wife,

Always be willing to go more than half way.”

That means 50/50 isn’t good enough. If you go only half way in a discussion, you have no common ground. If you’re both willing to go more than half way, you’ve each got a foothold in the other’s side of the discussion and a place to begin understanding their view. You have to be willing to give more than you take in your relationship. It’s worked for us for 40 years and counting.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my sweet Sue.

Geoff West

Costa Mesa

Charlie Bogner is not a fan of Valentine’s Day. Yet on Feb. 14, 1978, he drove to my parents’ home in Costa Mesa and said words that form arguably the most romantic gesture known to womankind: he asked my father for my hand in marriage. There is incredible sweetness in this — and a most comical turn of events, all of which characterize my husband to a T.

Apparently, my dear daddy did not understand that I knew nothing about this imminent proposal. So, after welcoming Charlie into our family and then sending him to my apartment, he did what any enthusiastic, loving father would do: He called me up, unable to contain his excitement.

“Honey, that’s so wonderful about your Valentine’s present!” he crowed.

“What? No, Daddy, I bought those four tires myself,” I grumbled, not quite understanding.

“No, no,” he said, as my doorbell rang. “I mean about you and Charlie getting married!”

As I opened my door, saw my boyfriend standing there with flowers, and basically dropped the telephone, that I came to understand I had just received the best Valentine’s present ever. Never mind that somehow, technically, my father gave it to me. It remains the best gift ever.

Happy 30th anniversary of being engaged, Charlie! I’m happy to have blown your cover of shunning “Hallmark Holidays” of any kind. Proposal, shmosal, I’ve had 30 years, two sons, three dogs and a wealth of blessings to convince me that you are a Valentine’s kind of guy. I love you.

Maryann Bogner

Corona del Mar

It was Valentine’s Day 55 years ago, and it was our second date. Tamar and I met at the end of January 1953, and our first date was in early February. Picking her up in Santa Monica for Valentine’s Day, I brought a heart-shaped box of candy for her mother — and I knew that I had at least won over her mother.

For our Valentine’s Day date, we went to dinner at the Cafe de Paris in Hollywood, looked into each other’s eyes during the entire long dinner and knew that “this was it.”

We were engaged the next month, on March 7, and were married June 7. After 55 years, I think the Valentine’s Day date was a success.

Martin Brower

Corona del Mar

I met my beloved, Janice, many years ago, and to my great happiness, we are now, finally, together in Newport Beach. As a medical professional, she has volunteered to assist with the city’s emergency preparedness and, creatively, she has supported the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Romantically, some of our best moments come with walks on the ocean front and during cozy nights together. What’s more, frequent trips to Vegas also bring exciting change. Indeed, this wonderful woman has added so much to my life and given great support to my family. Janice is an incredible lady and my closest Valentine!

Lee Mallory

Newport Beach

I love my wife, Ariana, because she is not only my best friend, but the woman who takes care of our entire family. Even working full time as an assistant principal, she still has found time to become an amazing cook, a caring and loving mother to our precious Giana, and a devoted wife to me. I love every minute of being with her and just wanted to say Happy Valentine’s Day!

Stacy & Giana

Franny,

My heart is finally healing because of you. God has given me the most incredible woman I could have ever hoped for. Just when I thought love was over, you came into my life and made me believe again. When I think of you, I smile and feel grateful. My heart is warm, God is good. I love you.

John T. Park

Costa Mesa

I met then Jennifer St. Sure of Newport Beach in 1999 at Rea Elementary School as a new teacher. She was a beautiful-looking lady, and I noticed her right away.

However, Jenny, as she likes to be called, did not notice me the same way. She thought I was a bit too confident in myself and really did not talk to me much her first year at Rea Elementary.

During the summer months, however, I somehow convinced her to go out with me. Jenny, being a local, said we should go to Muldoon’s for dinner and drinks. When we arrived I noticed that many of Jenny’s friends were there and having fun. I felt as if it were a test of some sort. You know, “new guy, let’s check him out, see if he is a good enough” kind of thing?

That night she was everywhere, going from table to table talking with her friends, and I was feeling a bit left out. I knew that I had to do something to get her attention. I asked the bartender for a set of darts.

After I gave my ID to the bartender, Jenny walked up and said, “Do you play darts?” I replied with, “Not much, but I’ll play you.”

At that moment, Jenny told me that she would be leaving for Hawaii tomorrow with her family for two weeks. I was a bit taken aback at the comment and realized that I needed to somehow get her to pay more attention to me. So, I decided to make a bet with her. The dart boards were located about 12 to 15 feet away from me.

Now, by this time a couple of hours and Guinnesses had passed by, and I had said to myself how can I get her to kiss me before she leaves to Hawaii? Well, when she came back from her social butterfly status I made a bet that if I could hit the bulls eye would she kiss me? She said, “Fine I’ll take that bet, but you have to throw the darts left-handed, you have to stay on the stool at the bar, and you only get three darts.”

I am right-handed, and I had really never played darts. But of course, I took that bet, and I remember saying to myself “please let me connect on one of these.”

On my first throw, while sitting on the stool, I hit the dead center of the dart board. The two couples sitting at the bar along with Jenny’s mouth just about hit the floor.

I said I knew that I was going to hit the bull’s-eye, however, I now know that there had to have been some kind of divine intervention involved because I could be given that shot again several 100 times, and I do not think that I would hit it.

Thank God though it did happen because I got my kiss, and I do believe it was meant to be because Jenny went off to Hawaii and by the time she got back she was ready to talk to me even more and now nine years later we are married and have two beautiful daughters Bailey Ann and Chloe Saint Burks.

Gannon L. Burks

Math Coach

Rea Elementary

Wow, do I remember the first time my husband kissed me. Ric had been let’s say courting me for a year, and during that time we hadn’t kissed.

Of course, friends and family didn’t understand this, but we did. And, I was so attracted to him.

I had just returned from a two-week trip of serving people in an impoverished area. We had no communication except for letters he had written and given me as I left. The letters were expressions of his affection for me. I was beside myself the entire trip and couldn’t wait to see him again.

On Aug. 18, 1997 there was a full moon over Corona del Mar State Beach, where we drove after he picked me up from the airport. We sat on the rocks overlooking the harbor, with our backs to Laguna Beach and the full moon.

And, sometime during the conversation, he simply kissed me. Fireworks at the very moment went off behind us off the coast of Laguna, and fireworks went off inside of me.

I look forward to kissing him the rest of my life. It was truly an amazing and long-awaited kiss. Ric, thank you for being so very intentional with me as we dated and protecting my heart. I love you.

Carolyn Olsen

Costa Mesa

After 23 years of marriage, it is still true today that Jerry melts my heart.

Every day when he smiles is a gift to me and the world. I couldn’t have asked for a better man. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Andi Hughes

Newport Beach