Suburban residents share Valentine's stories
We asked Northwest suburbanites to tell us the story behind their favorite valentines. Here are some of the best:
Valentine's dance beginning of 62 years of happiness
In September 1946, after my discharge from the Army Air Force, I finally found employment at Dr. Scholl's old headquarters on Schiller Street in Chicago.
I had been there only a few months when I had my eye on a beautiful young lady who was a senior at Waller High School working part-time.
When the company announced they were having a valentine dance in February, I was anxious to ask her to attend with me but I was too bashful. So my supervisor, knowing my predicament, asked for me, and she accepted.
That was the beginning of a love affair that continues to this day. After 62 happy years of marriage, Lil is still my beautiful lady, and I love her now more than ever.
— John Connor, Rolling MeadowsHer best valentine would be end to African malaria
Each year, I look forward to a very special valentine. While most cards express a sentiment of love and caring toward the receiver; the card I receive and many in my congregation send and receive carry a sentiment of eradication.
Pat and Ralph Peterson, of Prospect Heights, create handcrafted valentines that save lives and eradicate malaria from Africa. Valentines are sold for a donation of $10 and enable the purchase of one treated mosquito net for a family.
The Petersons' commitment has raised over $15,000 to date. Nothing but Nets has made a dramatic difference in malaria mortality rates. Rwanda has seen a 66 percent decline in the mortality rate in just two years and in the state of Eritrea, the overall disease rate has decreased by 80 percent in just four years.
The card reads: #8220;Valentine's Day is a time of giving; And so I send from you; The gift of living; A malaria net is on its way; To protect a family every day.#8221;
So while candy and flowers last just a short week, the nets offer a lifetime. Those who have received these valentines in the past are thrilled to be included in making a difference in our world.
#8212; The Rev. Bonnie Beckonchrist, Arlington HeightsNothing he wouldn't do to surprise her
On Valentine's Day we will be married for 30 years. Over the years, my husband, George, who is a romantic at heart, has done many different things.
He has dressed as my #8220;Knight in Shining Armor#8221; and came to my office. He sent a violinist to serenade me at work and a barbershop quartet to perform at my work.
The one that stands out the most is the Valentine's Day that he sent me long-stemmed roses at work with a little box attached.
Thinking that it was probably a box of candy, I opened it in front of co-workers. To my shock and surprise, it was an 8x10 framed picture of him dressed as Cupid #8212; arrow and all.
Needless to say, the entire office saw it. From that time on, everyone at work waited for Valentine's Day just to see what he would do next.
#8212; Alberta Argast, PalatineHe gave her the gift of a better life
My most special valentine I received from my sweetheart.
On Valentine's Day he told me he would donate a kidney, as I had an inherited disease where there was no cure. I had PKD disease, where the kidneys are covered with cysts.
My valentine arrived a little late as he had to have various tests. We had the same blood type so we were compatible.
My new kidney arrived in August on our 52nd anniversary. I consider this the best valentine I ever received.
#8212; Jane Whitecotton, Mount ProspectAfter 57 years, reunited with love of her life
I was 17, a senior in high school in New York City, and madly in love with a young man (19) who lived around the block. We so wanted to get married, but of course we were too young, according to our parents.
There was a draft on at that time and my Joe's number came up, so he joined the Air Force. Before long he was sent to Japan. I waited and dreamed.
After two years he re-enlisted and I was sooooo mad. In those days if you weren't married by 20 you were an old maid. I had boyfriends, but Joe was special. I ended up marrying a man I worked with so I could get on with my life.
Years passed and I was divorced. I was alone for 20 years and never wanted to get married again.
One day, playing on my new computer, I was looking up old friends and of course Joe was always in the back of my mind, so I Googled him.
Fifty-seven years had passed but I found out he was living in Florida and called him. The rest is history.
We both are so happy we found each other again and we will be married two years this Valentine's Day.
It's never too late, your dreams can come true. Thank you, God.
#8212; Barbara Hoellerer, SchaumburgLove is a rock
Love is never EVER forgetting, it transcends time! It bridges the generations. It is translated into every language. It was present in the cave man era; it will present as long as mankind exists.
My greatest valentine is rock solid.
It is over a billion years old. It ventured from Lake Superior during the Ice Age and is in my possession today. It is G-d-created from #8220;Mother Nature.#8221; It is a priceless relic and the only one of its kind.
It is, scientifically, a piece of agitate with a heart-shaped mineral called epidote in its vein.
I have a love with my wife that is for the ages #8212; a treasure many hope for and may never obtain. My valentine only weighs about a pound. I would not sell it for anything under a million dollars.
I carry it in my pocket everyday. It verifies to me, that G-d and I both understand that the love that my wife, Bridget, and I share and pass down to our daughter is as genuine, unique and real, as humanly possible!
Incidentally my wife has multiple sclerosis, diagnosed 24 years ago, just after we married. Our daughter was adopted in China at age 11 months, weighing 10 pounds. Me, I survived a death sentence from lymphoma.
My #8220;valentine#8221; was plucked from the depths of Lake Michigan seven years ago near the Illinois/Wisconsin border.
For an unknown reason, I reached into the water and pulled up this rock. It looked like any other rock and I was just about to cast it back. Instead, I turned it over and low and behold #8212; a heart shape was ingrained inside the stone.
I always thought it was algae embedded in the rock. I tried to grind it down with tools and never made a dent. I thought it might be a few hundred years old.
Just recently, I contacted a highly distinguished professor from a Michigan university and he studied it and concluded its age and origin.
To him as a scientist, initially he thought it makes a terrific paperweight. After I informed him of the struggles, hardships and complete joy (roller-coaster ride) our lives have taken, he changed his tune a bit and agreed I am some lucky man. What do you think?
Care to offer me a million dollars for my best valentine ... I think you'll kNOw my answer.
#8212; Randy Gollay, Buffalo GroveHer best Valentine's Day gift? Consideration
My husband and I were married on Valentine's Day.
Being our anniversary too, I have gotten many wonderful thoughtful gifts from my husband #8212; from jewelry to a surprise trip for our 20th anniversary to Lake Tahoe!
But the best valentine present I ever got was when I was working at a florist and, of course, being Valentine's Day, I had been working very long, exhausting hours. My husband asked me what I wanted to do for our anniversary and I said just come home and collapse.
When I got home my husband and two young sons were waiting for me dressed in their suits #8212; ties and all #8212; and had prepared me a dinner of filet mignon and lobster which they served to me by candlelight in our dining room in my robe and slippers!
It was perfect after a very long day!
#8212; Ruth Connelly, Palatine