Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 13, 1992 TAG: 9202130197
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETH MACY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
TARGET: ROMANCE - OH, THE THINGS WE'LL DO . . .
K. ST. CLAIR of Hardy didn't want anything to do with her future husband when they first met. Then he threw a a cowpie at her - and she fell madly in love on the spot.The most romantic gesture a man ever made to Jamey Childs of Eagle Rock was to walk over to her and say, "I love your hair; it smells so good," and then ask for a date.
Indeed, they're not the most suave of romance stories. But like the other 46 letters readers sent us, these tales of true love continue to have special meaning for those smitten by their charms.
This Valentine's guide to romance can guide the romantically impaired among you, too - those of you who think a portable Dustbuster is an endearing kind of gift (it's not).
So take heart and read on, ye of the last-minute greeting-card set. Following are readers' tips for togetherness.
\ Cindy Shealor of Bent Mountain was the victim of a reverse-psychology ploy engineered by her main squeeze. He served her a candle-lit dinner of cold, leftover green beans and grape juice accompanied by a plastic rose filled with dust and dead bugs, plus a box of stale chocolates.
The next morning he called her to say, "I love you, but not enough to send the very best!" The stunt ended up being even more romantic because it turned into a joke, Shealor recalled. (Note: We're not endorsing any of these tactics, just presenting them with an open mind.)
Surprises were a major theme among most of the letters received. Edgar U. Hoover of Roanoke helped spring one heckuva surprise 75th birthday party for his wife, Pauline, gathering the retired school teachers' friends and co-workers from across four states. "I cannot explain the emotion and perhaps a little awe as we approached the cheering guests," Hoover wrote.
Creative marriage proposals also rated high on the surprise list. Tommy Brooks of Vinton gave his wife, Sandra, the surprise of her life by presenting her with a fancy midnight dinner and a gift that turned out to be a . . . curling iron.
But this was no ordinary curling iron, she soon found out. Its box contained a card that said, "All you have to do is say yes." When Brooks slipped a ring on Sandra's hand, she was so dumbfounded that she jumped up and caught her jacket zipper on the lace tablecloth. "If it hadn't been for the champagne, the candles would have probably burned down his house," she wrote.
\ Darrell Saunders also surprised his fiancee, Melissa Franklin, with a ring - only his was hidden in a box with a Bart Simpson doll. Their nuptials are planned for June 27.
Unannounced trips and gifts were big pleasers, too. And they didn't all involve high-priced ventures, either.
One was as simple as some time alone. Roanoke's Carla M. Roberts gave her exhausted and overworked husband just what he needed a while back: She packed up their baby and the barking dogs and presented her husband, Mark, with a quiet night by himself.
Roberts had it all planned perfectly, with his favorite drink ready to pour, the Jacuzzi full of warm sudsy water and his favorite movie in the VCR. His favorite pizza was also delivered, prepaid.
When Vinton's Tonya Cross and her husband are feeling hot on warm summer nights, they like to dip in their plastic kiddie pool - filled to the rim with bubble bath. (Note that this is not a recommended February activity; Indoor bubble baths for two are probably just as romantic - and less likely to evoke the neighbor's watch.)
During a camping trip a few years ago, Bert Yost of Salem awoke to find coffee perking on the campfire and her favorite flowers lining the hearth and table - compliments of her husband, Bob.
And on Roanoker Angela Norman's eighth wedding anniversary, her husband, Kenn, showed up at her office, unannounced. Dressed formally, he sang for her (and the rest of the office, presumably) a love song, whisking her away in a white limousine for lunch at La Maison. Then he bought her three new outfits.
On Valentine's Day in 1988, Michelle Wright was swept away by her husband, Richard, and taken on a surprise picnic in the park. After a toast and walk, the Roanoke woman looked up to an airplane overhead and saw a banner that read, "Happy Valentine's Day. Love, Rick."
And Sandra P. Seymour is "still basking in the glow" of her husband's romantic surprise last year: a trip to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and all points in between - with her husband, William, having arranged everything from her suitcase to her calendar schedule. They've been married almost 30 years.
We saved the most touching letters for last. Roanoke lawyer Melissa Kane admittedly suffers from romantic impairment - "an occupational hazard," she wrote.
Luckily, her fiance, who "makes romance a daily affair," doesn't. She finds I-love-you notes from him tucked in her purse and in her electronic organizer; gets flowers all the time for no particular occasion.
"This is the sort of romance I prefer," Kane wrote. "Any idiot can plan a one-time encounter; It's keeping the romance alive on a day-to-day basis that builds and maintains relationships." The two planned to be married this week.
Roanoker Agness R. Chandler found out just how much her marriage meant when she came down with a life-threatening disease and her husband, John, had to take care of her, plus prepare meals and do all the chores.
"During one especially difficult period, John made a tape recording over a period of days of his thoughts, feelings and fears, as well as his love for me and his frustration at not being able to relieve my suffering. It reassured me of his love and made me feel very special at a time when my self-esteem was very low because I felt I was not contributing to our marriage." She believes his love and concern contributed greatly to her recovery.
\ Catherine T. Benson of Roanoke recalls fondly Valentine's Day in 1978, when her boyfriend, Bobby, took her out to Long John Silver's. After they finished eating, he placed a kiddie pirate hat on her head, invited her to go on a treasure hunt, and then made her search his pockets. "I said that was a cheap ploy, but I did it anyway!" she wrote.
"I found a blue velvet box in his coat pocket. Inside was an oval diamond solitaire. He asked me to marry him at my convenience and spend the rest of my existence hunting treasure with him on the high seas of life."
Thirteen months ago, he died in an automobile accident, leaving Benson with "precious memories, two priceless children and a heart still pounding from the voyage."
Lastly, in honor of her 10th anniversary, Jeannette Moran of Clifton Forge wrote to ask us to print a poem that her husband wrote for her. The celebration of their anniversary, which happens to be today, will include a renewal of marriage vows.
Foolish is the heart that knows of love but does not seek it.
. . . that seeks love but does not embrace it,
. . . that embraces love but does not value it,
. . . that values love but does not think it deserving,
. . . that believes it deserves love but does not return it . . .
that thinks love will last forever but does not believe in eternity.
Foolish is not my heart, for I have found my love in you, which I will have for eternity.