My best valentine: Readers tell us who is in their hearts

We asked readers to share their valentine stories with us and you obliged with some really remarkable essays. What follows are love stories — some in the traditional sense, and others off the beaten track, but no less compelling. Love is a broad category, and what these essays show us is that love takes many forms and has many meanings. Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Her valentine is a special young man

In my entire life, I have not endured as many injections, scans or invasive procedures as my brave and handsome grandson has in the past 2½ months. Jack Patrick Moran, a seventh-grader at Lincoln Middle School in Mount Prospect, is fighting leukemia, a battle no 13-year-old child should have to endure, and he is a superhero in the way he is handling it. Though he has family and friends cheering him on, he deserves the biggest and most love-filled valentine we can give!

Evann “Grandma Sugar” Balmes

Mount Prospect

Thanks for being there

To my valentine, Jeff: Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for being my best friend and amazing, supportive husband! Life is so fun with you by my side and I look forward to all the adventures that lie ahead of us. I love you and here's to a lifetime together!

Christina Koza

Round Lake

Gone, not forgotten

My valentine is not with me any more. He died in Arizona in his sleep on June 3rd at the age of 73 after 33 years of marriage. We were in a second marriage, a better one for both of us. I miss him and will miss him always.

Mary Schlott Repenning

Arlington Heights

A profile in courage

For most of us, Valentine's Day brings to mind lovers gently kissing or affectionately walking hand-in-hand. Exchanges of candy, flowers and romantic dinners abound.

Yet, this year my valentine does not fit any of those images. My valentine is my 91-year-old widowed mother. Recently, Helen fell and broke her hip. For the first time, this independent woman is facing a rigorous rehabilitation in a nursing facility.

Seeing her bravely struggle with her new surroundings and the daily activities of communicating, bathing and feeding is emotionally poignant. Her courageous efforts to stand and simply move her feet forward have captured my heart. As she continues to smile with family and staff and cooperate with the numerous therapeutic requests, I know she is the Cupid of love. She is my sweetheart — my valentine!

Susan Miossi

Arlington Heights

A beautiful friendship

Paisley prints, girl talk, a walk, coffee in the garden. This was my friend, Anne.

She came to the U.S. when her husband, a G.I. brought her back from Germany. She taught herself to speak English; and with hard work, lots of effort and time, she could speak, read and write our language. She was a hard worker and earned a master's degree in social services.

Anne and I met on the job. She loved art and could see potential in all that exists to become a beautiful work of art. She loved to garden, was kind to animals and made me laugh when I was down. From her I learned to see the beauty that a fast moving world and daily living erases.

Our friendship could be called short-lived since we only shared three years together. She passed away on Valentine's Day 2003. But the memory of her is without end.

Today, I can see the flowers, the snow, and the rain. I see all the beauty we were meant to see in this life time. Thank you, Anne.

Connie Wolf

Rolling Meadows

‘To My Only Valentine'

I'm looking at the cards you wrote

Throughout the passing years

The first one said, ‘Please be Mine”

And my eyes are filled with tears.

And, as the years went quickly by

The cards read, “To my wife,

I love you more each passing year

You have become my life.”

Then, “To the mother of my children —

We are truly a family

Can life get any better?

Certainly not for me.”

This year I won't get a card

For God has called you Home

But, I know within my heart

That you will read this poem

I want to say the years we've shared

Were always meant to be

And tho' I may have given much to you

You gave much more to me.

Angie Reiskis

Schaumburg

There's a lot of love in small packages

My special valentine has a heart so full of love. On my last birthday she decorated a ceramic plate that says, “I love you,” around the top edge and has big, red hearts on the bottom rim. In the center, she drew a rainbow surrounded by four more pretty hearts and then she proudly signed, “Love, Ella.” Her mother told me it was completely her own idea to make this for me.

While they were shopping she found a miniature Dr. Seuss book with blank pages that she wanted to give me. So I wrote her a personalized story in Dr. Seuss style and mailed it back to her.

On Christmas Eve she couldn't wait for her gifts to be opened. Not the gifts FOR her … the ones FROM her. She stood in front of me patiently waiting. Since we have a large family and open gifts according to age, starting with the youngest, she had a really long wait, as I am the oldest.

When it finally was my turn, she handed me a gift, announcing, “I made the wrapping paper last year in preschool!” I don't know what sparkled more, her twinkling eyes or the Christmas paper adorned in glitter.

As I unwrapped the package the joy on Ella's face cannot be described. “I made it for you, Nana” — the love and excitement could no longer be contained as she put her arms up and gave me one of her “super hugs.” Inside the package I found a circle of dried cranberries and Cheerios strung together to hang outside to feed the birds, something she knows I love to do.

Ella is the youngest of my many grandchildren. She always gives me so much love I think that she's my special valentine, not just on Valentine's Day, but all year long.

Sue Schulze

Arlington Heights

Giving their hearts to animals

Here are my kids, Kara, 10, and Melanie, 6, sweeping up near the cat condos managed by Fur Keeps Animal Rescue at the PetSmart in Hoffman Estates.

As a family, we are able to volunteer by cleaning the cat cages and socializing the current feline residents, getting them ready to find their forever homes. My heart goes out to everyone who volunteers for animal shelters and especially the wonderful Fur Keeps volunteers. Many people give so much of their time to help the deserving cats and dogs find a loving home. We have been especially blessed by being able to be a part of it!

Lisa Swan

Bartlett

Who loves ya, baby?

Who loves ya baby? I do, that's who! Yes I do, because you wake me every morning as you get in that noisy shower to begin another fun workday at Office Max. Because I love you, I get out of bed early too and ready myself for an adventurous day. Together, we have weathered 40+ years making memories — most of them happy ones. That's why I love ya baby! Be my valentine forever!

Gloria Heilman

Palatine

For her best friend

My valentine is my best friend, Jim. Jim is the most kind and decent person I know. He is extremely easygoing and patient, and has always been a calming force in my life. Jim never says a bad word about anyone and his good nature is noticed by many.

Last spring, Jim was misdiagnosed with “acute acid reflux.” He had several “episodes” during this year, all of which felt like a heart attack. Just last week, while driving home three hours in a snowstorm, he had another episode and became very sick. By the week's end, he developed intense jaundice.

I strongly suggested that he go the emergency room, and finally he agreed. He ended up having gallstones, one of which was blocking his bile duct, causing the pain and yellow pigment. He ended up needing gallbladder surgery, and thank God he is on the road to recovery.

I made sure that I told every member of the attending staff at the hospital that he was my best friend and to take very good care of him. He was an easy patient, for sure, rarely asking them for anything.

Jim is someone who deserves the royal treatment, but never draws any attention to himself. He is simply a very gentle and giving person who is both “high character” and “low maintenance.” And far as I'm concerned, he's the perfect valentine for me and I love him very much.

P.S. Jim is also my husband of nearly 20 years and a loving father to our three sons. On Valentine's Day and always, I feel so fortunate to be married to my very best friend.

Nancy Smearman

Palatine

Changed by the love of a little girl

I was unhappy when a shy, young Hispanic family moved next door. Hey, my immigrant parents were born in Croatia, but that seemed different. I grumbled … moaned … groaned and complained, then vowed NEVER to speak to them. And, of course, I ignored the two small children who timidly waved whenever they saw me.

My son met them and tried to convince me to visit, but oh no no no. Three weeks later steaming boiling arrogance I decided to walk next door for a minute but not a second more. A tiny little girl watched, her brown eyes uncertain, scared — oh yes, scared of mighty me.

I stood hesitantly on the patio a second when suddenly two small arms encircled my legs. Looking down I peeked into a tiny face framed with black hair, a serious face. Then, this waif held out her arms to be picked up and while I held her she wound her arms around my neck in what has proved to be an unending hug of love — a God-gift which still exists 12 years later.

My forever valentine — the little girl who cured my racist ideas. Stephanie, her courageous mother and two brothers enrich our family life … two houses side by side together with one heart conjoining us. Thanks be to God.

Patricia Parhad

Mount Prospect

First a chance, and then a lifetime

Back in September of 1992, I decided to put a classified ad in the new personal section of the Daily Herald. I had decided that if I was going to be single, I was going to try to make some new friends by meeting them via a personal ad (kind of scary, but a co-worker talked me into it). I placed my ad and checked in daily to see if there were any responses.

I had a few, but one in particular interested me. I called the number he left on the message and we connected. He was very easy to talk to and we spent hours on the phone getting to know each other. Our first date was to take place at the Holiday Inn coffee shop on Mannheim Road, just outside of the bar and dance area. This way we could meet and possibly have a dance or two, if we decided to extend the date.

All I knew was his name was “Dave,” he had a mustache and was a little taller than me. I had told him that if he decided to stand me up he should let me know beforehand, as I really didn't want to waste my time waiting for someone who wasn't going to show up (the last blind date had done that).

So, that night I sat there, asking anyone who fit the description if he was Dave.

I was a little upset when he didn't show up after half an hour of waiting — that is, until a worker at the coffee shop came up and asked if my name was Kathy. He said someone named Dave had called because he had gotten lost and he wanted to make sure that I knew that and didn't think I had gotten stood up.

So, I waited another half-hour and finally saw this guy with a mustache and walked up to him and asked him if his name was Dave. He said yes.

I asked him why he hadn't come over to see if I was the Kathy he was waiting for, but he said he couldn't believe he could be so lucky that I was his date and I had waited for him.

We talked for a few hours in the coffee house, interrupted a few times by the other guys I had asked earlier if they were “Dave” (they were making sure that I had met the “Dave” I was waiting for).

Well, that first date was on Sept. 12, 1992. We got engaged on Dec. 4 and married on June 12, 1993. We will be celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary on June 12th of this year. I thank God that I took a chance and put an personal ad in the paper, as that was the door that was opened for me to meet my best friend, my soul mate and my husband.

Kathy Colwell

Arlington Heights

True love is blind

Til death does us part! Why do only half the marriages last? Cause love really is blind. It's not what you see, it's what you feel.

There are going to be stormy days, cloudy days, rainy days. There are going to be disappointments, headaches and heartaches. You can't prepare or envision what you will endure. Obstacles larger than life. So be warned, now enough about negatives.

It's the positives, too numerous to list, that last a lifetime and then some. Don't be deceived about what others say. Listen to your own heart. My valentine has been through hell and back (she has had MS for 25 years).

Through all her physical and mental pains, she's the mother and wife you could only dream about.

I can't put into words, where you'd completely understand how I feel. So, pray to be exposed to pure undiluted quality — or in my case, the lottery win for life. Bridget.

Randy Gollay

Buffalo Grove

‘His smile warms the day'

It's 1948, Imagine a young handsome paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.

He's an old-school, stand-up kind of guy. He's what I would call a “man's man” -- someone who stands for what he believes, like integrity, a strong work ethic and doing his best every day with everyone he meets. He cannot be swayed by beauty, greed, success and celebrity or any of the other trappings and empty promises of current times.

His smile warms the day and his wisdom is worth waiting for. He talks of days past with stories you want to hear over and over again. My grandson calls him “Grandpa Johnny.” I call him my best friend, my rock, a treasure that cannot be replaced.

Happy Valentine's Day, Grandpa Johnny. You are the world to us.

Connie Wolf

Rolling Meadows

If I Were a Rainbow

If I were a rainbow where would I go?

I'd shine high above near Chicago.

If I were a rainbow what would I do?

I'd wear all my colors especially for you.

If I were a rainbow what would I see?

A happy young couple, Joanie and me.

Red, yellow, orange, green, purple and blue.

Those are my words to say ‘I love you.'

Tony Vargas

Palatine