And the Winner Is...

Rachel from Utah! Thank you to everyone who submitted their Valentine stories, recipes and craft ideas. Now read on and celebrate Singles Awareness Day!

Joni from Maine writes:
"It was my first Valentine's Day with my boyfriend, Mark. I had been giving significant hints the last two weeks leading up to February 14th that I wanted to go to a certain restaurant to celebrate. I got all dressed up, got a mani/pedi and had my hair done by my stylist.

After all this, I was sure my boyfriend would think the pricey restaurant would be worth it. However, he called me 20 minutes before he was supposed to pick me up and told me he was running late. When he finally showed up (45 minutes later), he was holding a six pack of beer and some K-Y Jelly. He thought it would be better to 'stay in'."

Kat from Colorado shared this gem:
"When I was in school, the student council would sell carnations for $1.00 a piece. It was obvious who the popular girls were because they would be loaded with flowers. I had a huge crush on one of the popular boys so to make myself look more desirable, I decided to buy myself 15 flowers. I paid for my flowers and filled out the cards, all from "secret admirers". But, when I went to turn them in to be delivered, the guy I had the crush on was the one taking the cards. Instead of being even more humiliated, I kept the cards and never had the flowers delivered."

Jeni from California had a rather pleasant experience:
"My husband always goes above and beyond the call of romance on Valentine's Day. One year, he hired a singing telegram to come to my work and perform a song he wrote himself. Another time, he visited me wearing a gorilla suit and handed me a dozen red roses. Last year, he filled my car with heart-shaped balloons and covered it in rose petals. He puts so much thought into making it special for me every year. I'm so lucky!"

Rachel from Utah submitted this story:
"It was my husband I's first Valentine's Day together as a married couple. I was so excited and I really put a lot of thought into what to get him. He did, too. However, I was dieting that year so he knew the traditional Valentine's Day treats were out. So Valentine's Day finally arrived and we exchanged gifts. I gave him all things fit for a romantic sexy eventing and I got a gift bag full of 100 calorie snacks. I tried so hard not to show my complete disappointment because I know he actually tried, but nothing kills the romantic mood like getting diet food from your husband on Valentine's Day!"

Chivalry and Romance

I was recently listening to a radio D.J. discussing valentines day traditions and noticed it seems to be pretty standard for women to receive flowers, cards, chocolates and a nice dinner. What happened to creativity? There have to be better ways of personalizing this special day for the one you love.

I started looking around and found some great resources for those who want to think outside the box. You can also check out the new Valentine craft I posted.
I have a special plan for my beau but I won't be able to discuss until after next Monday. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!

Send us your ideas and you could win a product valued up to $25.

Remember, chivalry isn't dead as long as we keep it alive.

Heart String Craft

Heart String

Transform cardboard tubes into love tokens, then display them as a mantel garland or door decoration.

Materials

Cardboard tube
Paintbrush and red paint
Pushpin
Needle
Embroidery thred
Beads (with holes large enough for the needle to pass through

Instructions

1. Cut the tube in half and brush the halves inside and out with red paint. Let them dry.

2. Flatten the halves, then cut them into one-inch segments. Shape each segment into a heart by pushing one creased side toward the center. Pierce holes in the top and bottom of each heart with a pushpin.

3. Thread the needle and knot the end. Slide on a bead until it stops at the knotted end, then loop back and push the needle through the bead again, going from bottom to top.

4. Thread on a heart, then add a bead just above it, using the same looping technique to secure it in place. Repeat to create a string of hearts and beads.