HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 2008!
We asked our readers to share stories about how they met the love of their life. Their answers warm the heart.

My father, who served on the local Selective Service Draft Board, told me about this very lovely secretary. I asked him to get her telephone number.

I called and we had a really nice conversation. She transferred to California from New York City because of the weather. We talked several times over the next couple of weeks and really hit it off. I asked her to be my date to my company holiday party even though we'd never seen each other.

When I went to pick her up and her apartment door opened, I couldn't have had a bigger smile on my face. She was gorgeous! As she went to get her coat I looked up, clasped my hands and said, "Dear Lord, please let me see this woman again!"

We were married the following July and have been happily married for 35 years.

- Stan Shor, Callabasas

On a warm sunny, May afternoon in 2006 I decided to take a stroll in my neighborhood, little knowing that I would be running into my eventual soulmate.

Being a 21 year resident of Liberty Canyon, I thought I knew my neighborhood very well- every resident, every tree, every barking dog. But as fate would have it, I walked past a house and a gentleman emerged from his car and I said, "Hi, you must be new around here," totally ambushing him in his driveway.

The rest is history. We are to be married soon, thereby uniting the northern and southern ends of Jim Bowie Road. The moral is: when looking for love, don't forget to look in your own backyard!

- Diana Jones, Agoura Hills

Although I didn't know it at the time, the first crucial decision about my future marriage was, who would sit in the front seat, my future wife or my dog? It was a tough decision. I already loved my dog. I barely knew my future wife.

Margaret worked with my roommate at the time. We both worked for consulting firms in Washington, D.C. and our offices were in the same building. I had arranged to go to the Maryland shore with several friends and my roommate was waffling about whether or not he was going to go. Friday afternoon I went down to my roommate's office. Margaret was sitting in his office when I arrived.

He couldn't go so I asked Margaret if she wanted to.

We had never done so much as say "hi" to each other in the elevator of the building where we worked. Now, here we were, about to spend a weekend at the beach together with a group of friends.

I pulled up next to her car, my faithful dog, Shadow, at my side. I thought.

"In the back, Shadow!"

Margaret slipped into the front seat and, after 25 years of marital bliss, it was clearly the best decision I ever made.

- Scott Carpenter, Oak Park

I was sitting at a big round table with my friend and some other people and noticed Walter sitting across from me. There was something about him that caught my eye. We glanced at each other but did not say anything.

Walter said it was love at first sight for him. It took me a little longer, but we both knew we were soul mates.

We didn't get married for almost eight years.

Walter has more then proven his love for me, as in July 2006 I was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. He stayed and slept in the hospital with me for 16 days while I went through two major surgeries. I had to go to the hospital two more times and again Walter did not leave my side. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have Walter. I told him he is my Angel.

Walter has had to take me for chemo four days a month for six months.He also had to take me to many doctor visits each month. He has never complained about doing any of this. I am very lucky to have someone as caring and thoughtful as he.

- Jill Gish, Oak Park

I had just been divorced, and was having my first garage sale to downsize. Some friends came by, offered me their babysitter, and asked me to go to a wine tasting with them. When I got there, this very hippie looking man asked me if he could get me a glass of wine.

We sat down together, and I discovered we had both grown up in the same town and had gone to the same high school, albeit 5 years apart. In fact, he had been married to one of my school friends.

He was divorced now, and we were both completely smitten with each other by the end of the evening. We have been married 30 years.

- Nancy Cable, Woodland Hills

I was in the Air Force and stationed at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. My buddy invited me to a Harvest Moon dance on a double date. He already had his date and mine would be a blind date. When I first saw her I knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was the one for me and my roaming days were over.

She wore her light brown hair in a ponytail, her eyes were blue, she had flawless skin, and a smile that would charm the devil himself.

As an added bonus I liked her personality. She was uncomplicated and unlike some of the girls I had dated..

Since she was only 16 I didn't want to rob the cradle. At the ripe age of 19 she became my wife for better or for worse. I never really knew what she saw in me and that's probably the reason we've been married 46 years; she's still trying to figure it out.

- Joe Bailargeon, Agoura Hills

In ninth-grade English class, we sat side by side. We read "Romeo and Juliet" and he swiped my purse from under my desk, hid it on the other side of the room and made me laugh.

Forward two years and Terri, in my Spanish class whispers, "Are you going to the football game tonight? This guy, Russel, is taking me and could drive you, too."

So, Russel, a skinny kid in Levi's picked me up in his parents' green Tornado. With Terri and all our friends watching, we flirted while our team scored and won. Later, in front of my home, we sat in his car and talked until I had to go because my grandma, who was watching us flashed the porch light as a symbol to remind us of the time.

I went home that night and told my diary that Russel was the guy I was going to marry. I still have that diary.

- Julie Paris, Oak Park

I met my Valentine, and the love of my life, when she picked me up while I was hitchhiking to Zuma Beach. On that summer day my life changed forever. The swim fins and volleyball that I held in my hands on that day nearly 39 years ago have long ago disappeared, but the love that I hold in my heart for the beautiful girl that I met will never go away. After nearly 32 years of marriage my Valentine is still by my side and I love her with all of my heart.

- Evan Williams, Oak Park

On a beautiful fall day about seven years ago, I was out surfing with a good friend at Topanga Beach. A light Santa Ana wind was blowing and the waves were very good. I paddled solo to the main peak to endeavor upon some better waves. I was in a particularly good mood that day, having departed from a dead-end relationship and recently moved to L.A. from San Diego.

As I surfed and enjoyed the beauty of the day, I kept my eye on a surfer catching the best waves. He clearly was the most talented surfer out there.

We made eye contact during one of these waves as he slid by on his way back to the line up, he gravitated towards me. We both had warm smiles and quickly began a discussion about the surf.

As I got out of the water, I knew I had made a special connection with this handsome surfer with deep blue eyes and returned to my car to find his business card. A few days later he sent an e-mail, we had lunch, went hiking, surfing, fell in love. We now have four children together and our love for one another and the ocean remains strong.

- Grace Kastenberg, Oak Park

My life changed for the better the day that I met my future husband, Jeremy Krebs. Stationed on an Army base in Germany, I went to the military hospital for an X-ray and out came the most handsome technician. We immediately had a connection. As we started dating I fell for his beautiful eyes, contagious laugh, and intelligence.

The moment I knew I was truly in love with Jeremy was when I became ill from a routine tonsilectomy that had gone wrong, and he was there by my side. From visiting me in the hospital to holding my hair out of my face when I got sick to my stomach he was there throughout it all. I can never thank him enough for saving me when I needed it most.

Being a military couple and having to deal with difficult circumstances I know our love can withstand the hardest of times. I feel blessed knowing he's in my life.

- Erica Krebs, Agoura Hills

I was introduced to my husband by the most unlikely person- his ex-wife.

I was at a party, playing guitar and singing. After my performance, a woman approached me and exclaimed, 'You have got to meet my ex-husband. He's a musician, too, and I think you guys would hit it off!"

I thought she was a little wacko, but I gave her my phone number. We became friends and, eventually, she talked me into meeting her ex.

He and I began collaborating, writing and recording music together. We fell in love and became inseparable. We have been together almost 12 years, and just celebrated the birth of our first child.

My husband and I are still friends with his ex, and his kids love the fact that we all spend our holidays and birthdays together.

- Maha Maturo, Westlake Village

Once upon a time, during a warm summer's evening many years ago I was at a Hawaiian luau party in Encino. In the crowd, I spotted a petite blonde sporting short shorts and a lei. Love (and lust) at first sight. Turned out to be my friend's sister. I tried to get my friend to give me his sister's phone number, but he was protective of her and wouldn't, but finally did after a week.

I took her out for dinner and dancing and we hit it off, fell in love, and got married, and we've been celebrating Valentine's Day every year since.

- Robert Klass, Agoura Hills

He swaggered into work at our mutual fund company like a gunslinger. It was only my second day at the firm and I wondered who this realy cute guy was and why he was seriously underdressed.

We became good friends over several months and after a series of work group outings ending without a kiss goodnight or even a casual familiar touch of the hand, I finally summoned the courage to bare my feelings

"I really like you. . . . More than a friend."

Silence. It felt like an eternity until his response.

"I do too," he said, and from that moment we became inseparable. I later asked why he never made the first move and he said "it's because the woman has to choose, that's the only way it works for men."

Next month we celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.

- Lisa Snider, Westlake Village

My wife and I met almost eight years ago at a dance. It was a blind date, and the goal was to meet someone that I would go to senior prom with.

Although I tended to be a little shy around girls, she made me feel comfortable from the start. Her bubbling personality, charming smile and warm embrace knocked me off my feet. Even though we were not the best dancers on the floor, we had a great time.

That night, on the bus ride home, was my first real kiss. Not just some regular kiss, but the kind of kiss that melts your heart and connects your soul. There was no doubt in my mind that I had met someone special. We did not go to my senior prom together, but seven years later we were walking down the aisle.

This is our first Valentine's Day as a married couple. I am lucky to have such a great person in my life.

- Michael Klein, Oak Park

Our first date took place on a memorable, summer evening in 2005 as we met at the Twin Theaters to watch "March of the Penguins."

I remember exactly what Ed looked like that night- from his orange striped shirt to his new blue jeans. But, what I remember most was his big smile. From that first day we met, Ed captured my heart with his humor and free spirit, but it is his devotion and kindness that has kept me loving him ever since.

That warm summer night, I went on a date expecting good movie and tasty popcorn, but what I got was a lot more than I could have ever hoped for- a loving companion, a person I can depend on, and a best friend.

- Andrea Escobar, Agoura Hills

My husband and I met 18 years ago and became "just friends." But when we first met it felt as if we'd already known each other for years. Instantly we both liked each other and made each other laugh. We could sit and talk for hours about anything even in a group of many. It wasn't until many years later that we married

each other and had two children.

I can't say there is just one single moment when we knew we were in love. Al the single little moments just add up. Call it destiny, fate, the moon, the stars- the pull of the Malibu tides- whatever it was then, it still is now. We're still best friends. We still really like each other and make each other laugh. We'd still rather spend time with each other than anyone else.

We are completely in love and often recall our first kiss- at the Westlake Landing with the full moon reflecting in the lake.

- Casey Bridge, Palmdale

In the Sixties I took a city bus to high school. My heart would start pounding as I'd peer out the window and see this Elvis-looking boy walking to school. To my delight he was sitting several seats ahead of me in English class. We had to stand if we knew the answer to questions the teacher would ask. Jim would stand whether he knew the answer or not. I admired his looks, enthusiasm and courage so I started helping him with his homework.

My name is Sally but he would cal me Susie, Sherie, Sharon or Sandy. He finally got my name right and we were married five years later.

We've been married for 43 years and I love him as much as I did at my first sight.

- Sally Friedl, Agoura Hills

Karen caught my eye immediately with her warm smile, lovely hair, and shapely legs. In an instant we connected and I could feel deep down that she was truly someone special.

We first met in a crowded room, but when we started talking the volume immediately diminished and I felt as if somebody had wrapped blinders around me. Almost two years later, with our wedding just around the corner, I still see Karen as the only woman I'd ever want in my life.

She's bright, energetic and makes me chuckle constantly. Neither of us ever holds on to our differences and neither of us will do anything to hurt the other. Somehow, it always seem like we're on the same page.

For those of you who know the feeling, isn't it so nice when it all finally fits together? I think it's the way love was meant to be.

- John Edwards, Oak Park

It was a small room, an office actually. Presumptuously, I strode down a hallway towards a closed door. I was asked to wait in reception, but I was too young to feel constrained by etiquette or courtesy.

Then, there she was, to the left of the door where my meeting was to take place. My eyes dilated, my heart stopped, then started racing. My palms were sweating and an electrical storm exploded in my head.

Cupid had gone nuclear.

Play it cool; I thought, trying not to miss a beat. No stupid lines, not that I'd ever used any. This is the real deal; don't blow it, be real.

"Are you married?"

(Okay, lead with the whole enchilada.)

A few minutes later her brother walked into the office; he worked there, too. I leapt out of the chair I'd hijacked, and with a flourish of gallantry, sexism, and something like blind optimism mixed with stupidity, I asked, "May I have permission to marry your sister?" He smiled.

She looked like she'd just found a sweet lost alley cat and a month later she said yes! Eighteen years and three kids later I still remember that day like it's happening right now.

- Sean Astin, Callabasas

I had a crush on him from the start. Those amazing blue eyes and great smile!

Jeff thought I was just very friendly. He was just starting his medical residency and I was a registered dietitian at Kaiser Hospital. We worked together for three years, but then we went our separate ways. He went into private practice and I began working as a pharmaceutical sales representative.

Several months into my new job, I realized that Jeff was one of the physicians in my territory. To say the least, I was very excited to get to see him again. When he asked, "Lisa, can you get together for lunch this week?" I was thrilled. I knew on the second date that this was the man I wanted to marry.

It took him a little longer- about two years- to propose, but after 21 years of marriage I still have a crush on my husband and, the wonderful thing is, he still has a crush on me, too.

- Lisa London, Callabasas

My late husband and I met on a blind date to the USC-Stanford game in October 1981.

After the game we dined at the Chart House on PCH and then went to C.C. Brown's on Hollywood Boulevard for their signature hot fudge sundae.

That night Joe said he was going to marry me. I laughed. Then he said he was going to make me happy. I said I was already happy. He said he was going to make me happier.

We jogged, played tennis, and he excelled at golf. We loved to watch all sports. We married 13 weeks later!

Joe Zeldin passed away in November 2005, but in our hearts he lives forever.

- Sandi Zeldin, Calabasas

Mine is a man who once passed up watching a Super Bowl with friends because I had something important I needed to do and I couldn't go the game with him.

"But I don't want to go without you," he said.

It wasn't the three little words a girl usually longs to hear, but that was the moment it hit me.

After many years in a lonely marriage I finally found someone who actually wanted to be with me.

How we met, well that too was special. For years, I had threatened to change careers, and finally dragged myself to a local networking mixer. My daughter and I put together business cards to help me jump start my new venture. While there, I only managed to talk to one or two business people before I was introduced to this amazingly handsome man who spent the rest of the evening talking with only me.

I returned to my home later than originally planned with my daughter asking me. "How did it go?"

I said I didn't think I'd be getting any business out of the effort, but that I did meet somebody.

"I knew it," she replied. "I could tel by that smile on your face when you walked in the door."

And, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

- Karen Wright, Oak Park

I found my love during the liberation of Paris, France, where I attended a dance at the local bistro to celebrate freedom from the German occupation.

I looked over the floor and saw this beautiful girl dancing with her friends. After some anxious moments, I asked for a dance and she yes. That was the beginning of a lifetime romance.

In December 1945 we received our orders to return to America. Jacqueline and I met for dinner at a romantic, beautiful restaurant with violin and accordian music and I asked this beautiful French girl to marry me, and she said yes. I promised I would return to Paris after my discharge from the Army.

I returned on Aug.l , 1946 and we had our wedding on Aug. 26. We have been happily married for 62 years.

- Vaughn Stone, Agoura Hills

I met Tony online and was instantly smitten with him. We met Oct. 11, 2007 and we e-mailed daily and talked on the phone constantly.

Two weeks later we met in New York for five wonderful days. We had a great time and he became my "best guy friend," someone with whom I could talk about anything. We are very open and honest with each other. We have so much in common and agree on practically everything.

I know in my heart that someday we could have a wonderful future together. At least I know we will be friends forever. Time will tell.

- Diane LaFayette, Agoura Hills

It happened at a wedding, of all places. I was invited by a coworker and told there would be a lot of pretty, single girls in the bridal party.

I dressed up in my best shirt and tie and shiniest pants (I am Italian, after all), and waited for the excitement. As the ceremony began, the girls in the party, one by one, entered from above and proceeded down a cascading set of stairs in a drama filed with harp music. Each girl was prettier than the next. Then, there she was. She turned, and smiled nervously. She was by far the most delicate of the group with her long straight brown hair, a handful of flowers in her hands, and a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

I never looked at another girl that day, nor any other day for the next 19 years.

- Paul Scrivano, Agoura Hills

A divorce recovery workshop brought us together in early spring 1995. It was, after all, the time of year for new beginnings, fresh starts.

I wasn't there to meet a man, really I wasn't. But there was something distinctive about the guy in the black leather jacket.

Definitely intriguing; definitely "buddy" material- a friend to hang out with, grab a coffee with, see a movie, take a walk. Safe. Innocent.

We kissed cheeks like new friends at my front door after one such weeknight coffee date. Just days later, we found ourselves holding hands at the movies, sipping chardonnay and swapping stories into the wee hours, parting finally at 2 a.m.

Walking the beach in the bright light the next morning, two aging boomers taking another look. Nobody flinching. We were smitten.

I'm often reminded of the words my husband wrote that illuminate our hopes and shape our dreams: "Young hearts, young at heart, may we always be."

- Pat Falkner, Callabasas

When I was 20, I went to a Broadway show with friends, and then to a club. Since I didn't drink I went to the jukebox to see what to play. While trying to make my selection a great looking guy with curly black hair, wearing a leather motorcycle jacket, boots and dungarees, came over and said, "Play that." I asked why, and he answered, "'Cause I wrote it."

I was impressed, and we talked for the rest of the evening, but when I told him that I was going to move to Los Angeles someday and he said he'd never leave New York, I thought, "Oh well, I'm not going to marry him," even though he asked for my number.

But after dating for eight months, he proposed and we were married.

That meeting led to a fascinating 52+ years of marriage to the most loving, talented, and fun man. I'm just lucky there was a jukebox where we could meet.

- Marilyn Stefanok, Agoura Hills

He was a year younger than I was and assigned to me as a "little brother," since I was a returning sophomore on the college orientation committee.

He was funny and handsome, obviously a good guy, but I had never dated a younger man. He invited me to hear him play trumpet with a jazz combo at a local club. I went with a couple girlfriends. When Jeff stood in front of the band and took his first solo, I forgot his age. I couldn't believe his gift, his ability to lose himself in music. We started dating that week, were soon engaged, and married before Jeff's senior year.

It's now 26 years later and he continues to inspire me. (His music gets to me.) Jeff's remained funny, handsome and kind, and has become a loving father.

And, as he often reminds me, he's still my younger man.

- Joan Beal, Agoura Hills

It was a cold brisk Chicago day in 1986. I was to have brunch with a friend who called me at the last minute to say, "Do you mind if I bring a friend to brunch? He's new in town too." Ten minutes later, he came walking down the street with a bounce in his step, and a smile on his face and I thought to myself, "boy, he's cute."

Over brunch I developed an immediate respect for him. We went dancing the next weekend and I started falling for him. Two years later on the anniversary of that brunch, he proposed marriage to me on the bluffs above La Jola with a dozen roses.

I am blessed to have this man as my husband, friend, and the father of our two sons. He truly is my Valentine.

- Diane Darling, Oak Park

The year was 1965. Some students at MIT wanted to see if they could match people by computer.

The computer was as big as a house in those days. I filled out a questionnaire about myself and sent it in with $3 to "Operation Match" in Massachusetts. I received a list of five girls from the Southern California area who also sent in a questionnaire.

I wrote a letter about myself to each girl and waited for a response and their picture. All the girls responded but only one sent a picture. I took each girl out except the one who sent the picture because I didn't like the picture. When my aunt found out that the one girl I did not take out happened to have the same name as hers, she gave me $50 to take her out. She was sure anyone with that name couldn't be so bad.

Mary attended Long Beach State and I went to Valley State in Northridge. I asked her out to dinner and a Henry Mancini concert. I figured I could easily take her out for $30 and pocket the rest. I guess it was a good deal because we have been happily married for over 40 years and have two children and three grandchildren.

Never underestimate the power of the computer!

Steve Soelberg,

Agoura Hills

In July of 1956, I met the love of my life. It was back in Chicago in summer school at Senn High School. I was 16 and my wife Estelle was 15.

We were both in the same geometry class. Estelle sat in row four, right in front, and I was in the fifth row in the last seat. Everyday in class I had a hard time concentrating. I just could not take my eyes off of her. (Fortunately I still passed the class.) We will be celebrating 46 years on Feb. 25. We have two beautiful daughters and are still as happy as ever. She is my best friend, my soul mate, my confidant and my lover.

Jerry Jacobs

We had never laid eyes on each other. We only spoke on the phone, and our conversations were endless, yet never, ever long enough. But it didn't matter what he looked like because his voice was like a serenade. When we finally saw each other in person, at a steak restaurant on New York City's 12th Street, everything just made crazy sense. I didn't even know he had the most intoxicating blue eyes. It was truly love at first sight, which no one believes in, of course.

Our first kiss on the corner of 42nd and 6th, our second kiss on 47th and 6th, and our third kiss next to the skating rink (and the man with the balloons) at Rockefeller Center sealed our fate.

Baby, I love you truly, madly, deeply, infinitely, completely and always, no matter what happens over the next one thousand years.

Julie Philip

It was September 1990. I was on my way home from a bachelorette party when I spotted a car with a guy inside. He was wearing white sunglasses, singing and dancing. I couldn't help smiling and laughing. He realized he was "caught" and smiled and laughed back.

After a while, he signaled me to pull over. Something told me that I should. When I pulled over I had my car running and set in reverse, "just in case." He came up to my barely cracked window and said, "I'm Scott. You're safe, I'm a cop. Want to see my ID?" I emphatically said, "YES!" He showed it and sensed I was still nervous. He gave me his name and phone number and said, "You won't give me your number, so here's mine."

I went home, called all of my friends for advice, and decided to call him. I got his answering machine. Being the sleuth I was, left my name and number. He called back and after interrogating him for an hour, we set up a date. Now we've been married for 15 wonderful years.

Scott, I love you with all of my heart. Your shipmate, Sharon.

Sharon Chew

I met "Mike" in 1992 in Washington State. I was the manager of an apartment complex. He came to check out an apartment and as we sat down to chat I felt like I had known him for years. As he was getting ready to leave I asked him if he would be interested in going with me to a Seattle Seahawks football game. He said he would be honored to go with me. He did not take the apartment, but we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. He truly is my best friend.

JoAnn Mote

I was 17 and she was 16. We both worked at McDonald's in Woodland Hills. I was a manager and she was the cutest crew person I'd ever seen. Our McDonald's holiday party was at my house on Dec. 21, 1981 and she was there.

I'd never had a girlfriend and it was love at first sight (at least for me.) I got to take her home that night from the party. It turned out she lived half-a-mile from my house. She gave me a hug goodnight. I remember screaming when I got in the car from the excitement of that first goodnight hug.

I called her 10 times and kept hanging up as I tried to get the nerve to invite her to my New Year's Eve party. She attended, and we had our first kiss at midnight, Jan. 1, 1982. Twenty-six years later, I still get the same tingle when we kiss, and can't wait to see the enjoyment the next 26 years will bring for Jill, Grayson (our 9-year-old son) and me. I love you, Jill!

Michael E. Adler

In 1996, when I was living in San Francisco, I met the love of my life, my wife, Carol. She had recently moved to here and was told by a friend in common to call me so I could introduce her to people and the city. She called me and we agreed to meet for drinks.

When I saw her for the first time, my heart literally stopped. She was cute, sexy, smart, intelligent and funny. We met for that drink and were having such an amazing time that we went for dinner and finally a club for dessert and drinks. What started out as a quick drink ended up being an eight-hour date.

When I kissed her that night for the first time, I felt sparks and saw the proverbial fireworks. I knew that we were destined to be together. It was our fate.

Fourteen months later, I proposed to her in Paris across from the Eiffel Tower. I will never forget the love and look in her eyes when I got down on one knee and asked her if she would be my wife. We celebrate our 10year anniversary on Feb. 15 and are living the suburban dream in Agoura Hills with two wonderful kids and a dog.

Stephen Levine

Second semester of freshman year at Ohio University started with creative writing. There were maybe 25 kids in the class, including one big mouth troublemaker, the type who wore a leather jacket for no reason other than to look cool. His hair was long and so were his jeans as they dragged the floor with the loose feathers of torn threads trailing behind. In high school he would have been one of the freaks, not the kind of kid I associated with.

His name was Stu.

I sat as far away as possible. But the professor put us in groups and I ended up in the seat next to Stu, who insisted on talking during class. I didn't respond, so he started writing notes in the margins of my papers. Every day for four weeks he asked me to dinner and I declined. But I had never met someone so charming. Opposites attract and we were married the year after graduation.

For our 20th wedding anniversary, Stu threw me a surprise wedding with all our family and friends. Last December was our 26th. He is the love of my life!

Julie Shy-Sobol

A long time ago, 1981, in a galaxy far, far. away from my home in Marin County- at 5757 Hollywood Blvd., Echo Sound Services, a post-production facility- the Writers Guild was on strike (again!) and I'd just finished "Mommie Dearest." I'd been asked to assistant edit a TV film.

One afternoon "he" walked into my cutting room at Echo and began taking boxes off my film rack. Thinking him to be brazen and rude I inquired, "What do you think you're doing?" To which he replied, "Taking your film for the sound editing."

"Who's your editor?" I demanded. "I AM the editor," was his response.

I was shocked; he looked so young. After instructing him to write down his name (it was "Chris Ishii") and phone number so I could keep track of my film (and, of course, him!) I resumed my discussion with my colleague about the gazpacho aspic ring with

guacamole in the center that I'd planned to make. Chris interrupted: "I make GREAT guac."

I was shocked by his chutzpah, but even more intrigued. I went home, called my second-best friend to tell him all about Chris, and, well, the rest is history!

Carolyn Abe-Ishii

Mid-March, and notifications for college acceptances were rolling around. A friend and I met up to go to a party, celebrating the acceptance of one of her friends into his first choice school. The moment I first stepped into the his house I met the man of the hour and he not only caught my eye and stole my heart, but won me over with a single glance of his bright green eyes. We hit it off right away and, after the first few anxious phone calls, he took me out on my birthday as our first date. We became inseparable from then on.

Parting ways for college was heartwrenching, but our relationship has deepened and, a year later, we're still together. Anticipating many more Valentine's, we are proof that even young people are capable of forming bonds of deep affection that can span over miles.

Many couples struggle to find the right ways to express their love for each other. We live by the simple proverb that actions speak louder than words. Unspoken gestures of kindness- whether it be unexpected dinners, hikes, letters or visits- keep that flame that we cal love alive and well.

Rebecca Peters

I met my wife through my friend Gary, whose stepdaughter took private figure skating lessons from a coach.

Out of the blue, Gary tells me that the coach had been at their house visiting for an afternoon. He said that the girl likes to travel, was pretty and was very funny . . . making blonde jokes even though she's a blonde herself. He said that he had asked the coach if she'd be interested in possibly meeting a friend of his (me). Then he gave me a phone number and told me that I should call Alexis.

It took me a couple of months to get the nerve to call her, but when I did call we hit it off on the phone immediately, talking for a long time. I asked her to meet me for sushi in Encino. I arrived before she did. Standing at one end of the restaurant, I saw her enter from the other end and "just knew."

Later, we saw that we had parked right to each other.

She said that when she pulled in she "just knew" that the car next her was mine.

Now, several years later, we have 16day-old triplets!

Preston Rohner