Valentines come in all shapes and sizes, but they have one thing in common: We'll celebrate them on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, possiblythrough a romantic dinner for two.
My Central Jersey, Due Mari and the Frenchtown Innwanted to provide a free $150-value dinnerfor twolucky Central Jersey couples out of the many who told us their heartwarming stories about why they love their Valentines.
We asked Central Jerseyans to tell us their stories in 100 words or less, and while the decision to choose the two best ones out of the roughly 40 that we received was a difficult one, we are thrilled to announcePete Clark of North BrunswickandLaura Alpern of Alexandriaas our winners.
Click here to see responses from the 2016 version of this contest
Click here to meet the winners from the 2016 version of this contest
Alpern will receive a $150 gift card to the Frenchtown Inn and Clark will receive a $150 gift card to Due Mari, which he has chosen to donate to a family staying at theRonald McDonald House, where he volunteers, who has a child being treated at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Frenchtown Inn
Offering fine French-influenced American dining in a sprawling 19th century inn with four dining rooms, the Frenchtown Inn is the destination for romance thanks to dishes such as their roast breast of moulard duck and roasted Colorado lamb loin.
Since 1805, the Frenchtown Inn building has been a staple in the Frenchtown community, and as a restaurant, it frequently ranks as one of the top eateries in the state and has the ambiance to go with it, featuring exposed brick walls, white tablecloths and amazing artwork adoring the walls.
Due Mari
Translated to “two seas” in Italian, Due Mari keeps true to its name by offering the freshest seafood from around the world, in addition to authentic Italian cuisine. The menu also features a wide selection of signature handmade pastas and choice grilled meats.
With white tablecloths and warm, intimate décor, Due Mari is the very picture of elegance in New Brunswick, which is only elevated thanks to dishes such as garganelli with 18-month aged prosciutto cream and Mediterranean sea bass with forbidden rice salad butternut squash.
Here are our winning submissions:
Pete Clark, North Brunswick
"With Super Bowl upon us along withValentine’s Day fast approaching, Iequatemy marriage of 36 wonderful years to my wife that I love, Terry, tofootball. We huddle together in love each morning, we rush around together in retirement to take care of our chores, we take timeouts to enjoy one another by exercising together, we correct our penalties with making sure the house is clean together, our hand-offs are special moments at dinner, extra points when we take care of our grandkids, our forward pass is sitting together in our lounge chair watching TV, offsides occur when I take all the covers at night while sleeping ,and sacking the quarterback with love together at night are the reasons why I love my wife as we make a great team together in preparation for the Valentine’s Day Bowl. TOUCHDOWN! "
Laura Alpern, Alexandria
"My Valentine is a kind and loving man. Shortly after our marriage in 2013, my parents with dementia moved in with us. He cared for them (even 'personal care'for my dad) as if they were his parents, yet he and I only met in 2012. Caring for them was stressful and he also provided me with the emotional care I required. Dad passed last year and Mom now requires nursing home care. Rob goes with me to every visit because it is emotionally difficult for me. He is gentle, yet very strong. He SHOWS me every day he loves me."
And here are some of the other romantic proclamations we received:
Zenovia Bosques, Perth Amboy
"My husband, Petey, and I will be married 50 years in September. It's not always easy, but we meant it when we vowed for better orworse. In our case, I got the better but he's gotten the worse. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis early in our marriage, and my husband has been my rock. He picks me up when I am down (literally andfiguratively) and has been a wonderful father to our threekids. Our love is everlasting. We hope everyone feels the love we've shared with their Valentines."
Crystal Leff, South Amboy
"I love my Valentine because he is and amazing man and stepfather. He never missesour kids'games and cheersthem on. He is always there for whatever we need. He is atruly selfless man that puts a smile on my face every day. Plus, what other man would agree to a Christmas card like this...My amazing Valentine."
Pamela Wahlberg, Union
"When I met Steve Lucas, my whole world changed!I have never met a person with such patience and devotion.He moves through life with an uplifting spirit and he is the funniest person I've ever known.I think a song that we have written together called 'Lucky to Have you'sums it up: 'As I move along through my life and all that I must do, through the ups and downs and ins and outs I know one thing that's true, with your strength, your joy and deep devotion you always carry me through —the one thing I know for sure is I'm lucky to have you.'"
Don Frank,Manville
"What Yankee fan would allow her husband to fill a room with Pittsburgh Pirate memorabilia? What wonderful wife would sit in front of the television with her husband, not knowing a thing about hockey to watch, learn and vociferously root for the New York Rangers?What woman would work her eight-hour job, drive home and prepare a luscious meal from a recipe she discovered online?My wonderful sweetheart Valerie is that woman and she is my special, always appreciated and infinitely loved Valentine on February 14and every other day of the year."
Barbara Lantz Niro, Cranford
"Lenny and I will be married 30 years in April. He is my provider, my best friend, my confidante, my best buddy, my biggest supporter, my rock, my world. We raised two terrific daughters and are now empty nesters. We keep love alive by having weekly Saturday night dinner dates, and if he’s working nights, then we have “Sunday Fun Day” and go out to brunch. We start planning our weekends on Mondays!! We would rather spend time with each other than anyone else. He is my forever Valentine and I am grateful for him."
Amy White,Parlin
"I love my valentine because the way he smiles and looks at me. When I am with him I forget my problems and he has good sense of humor. He makes me feel special when he calls me princess. He is my Prince Charming. Knowing each other for fifteen years we never thought we would fall in love.Before we started dating I was depressed and ended up losing thirty pounds. After dating found out he is great cook and I slowly gained back seventeen pounds in six months. I would love to win for him and return the favor."
Vinnie Funelas,Pittstown
"Like other husbands, mine works hard, grills like a top chef and is very handy around the house. Why I love him? It is Valentine’s Day every time he returns from a trip (he is a pilot). Holidays and birthdays - basically any celebration - are dictated by his schedule, and more often than we would like, he is never around. I find myself going to events alone or becoming a hermit until he returns. But, when he comes back home, he makes sure that we don’t skip a beat. We’ve learned that holidays happen when we can do them."
Karin Palmblad, Fords
"When faced with the challenging task of attempting to express my love for my Valentine in 100 words or less, I realize that even 1,000 words would still be far too little. What I can vouch for, however, is that our love story is the stuff movies are made of. My Valentine (and excitedly, my new fiancé!) Dan and I have been together since 2016. Fate brought us together in a truly amazing way. We first met playing pool at a random bar, we became friends for about a year, and (myself being an artist) I decided to draw a picture of him & his young son from a former marriage as a surprise "gift" for him. It took me a total of 29 hours to complete, and he had no idea about it. I had no ulterior motives at the time other than to simply do a nice gesture for a friend, but we ended up falling head over heels for each other after I gifted my artwork to him. I love Dan so much because he is truly unlike anyone I have ever known. He is the light and love of my life, which sounds so cliché but it's true. He is thoughtful, supportive, handsome, patient, inspiring, is an extremely talented pool player, and he is FUNNY! He puts my comfort before his, we laugh every single day, and he is absolutely my best friend. My life has been made infinitely better ever since Dan became a part of it, and I cherish every single moment that we spend together and take nothing for granted. My heart knows a true love now, and I look forward to many more years of happiness and growing old together."
AngieDailey, Cranford
"1964, I met a man, he was definitely not my type, he had red hair which was not appealing to me. He was very nice and personable and asked me out on a date to go dancing. Since I love to dance I said yes, We fell in love on the dance floor and married 22 months later, we have been dancing for 55 years. I am truly blessed to have met this man, he always puts me first and every time we get on the dance floor we feel the same magic. We still dance twice a week ballroom style. We are blessed with 3 children and 6 grandchildren and live in Cranford for 46 years. I have been blessed with an amazing life partner."
Colleen Barkkume, Monroe
"My forever Valentine, my love, my best friend-are all the same. His name is Al and he has been my love since 1968 in high school. Married for 47 years, life showed us many ups and downs. Together we made it through. I have counted on Al to always be by and on my side since Senior Prom...and he has never let me down. Since retiring, we still do everything together from church to grocery shopping. Al puts me, our children and grand-daughter before himself always. It’s true everyone loves Al-and that is true especially for me!"
Al Barkkume, Monroe
"Colleen had always been my "rock" and had always been there for me and our kids. She didn't stop me from trading in our practical car for my dream vintage Corvette! Loving her is easy. Colleen has been my Valentine since high school and she will be my Valentine til etetnity."
Frank Bianco, Monroe
"I am 76 and my wife turns 70 next month. We met on a blind date, on 5/22/97. Within a year, we were living together. In 2015, we decided to get married in Vegas. Her first marriage, my third. I figured that either “third time’s a charm”, or “three strikes and you’re out”, BUT OUR LOVE WON OUT!! When asked why it took me 18 years to propose. I say, “It didn’t! It was love at first sight! I got down on one knee and proposed the day we met.It just took me 18 years to get up again!”
Susan Chubbuck, Iselin
"I knew from the minute I saw my husband Howard, that I was going to marry him. He was my first and only blind date set up by a colleague of mine who happened to be a friend of his. When he came to the door he had on purple and white seersucker pants and penny loafers sans socks and I thought to myself “finally” someone who knows what the word “prep” means. It helped that my dog loved him! After a whirlwind courtship we were married 13 months later. Three daughters and 33 years later he still dresses well!"
Samantha Mastorio, South Amboy
"My Valentine’s name is Kevin Derelanko. I love Kevin because he challenges me to break the boundaries that I have set for myself. He encourages me to be open - even if open is equivalent with goofy. He has taught me practical skills that set me apart from the crowd and leave me with an increased sense of significance. Kevin always reminds me to slow down and smile. I love that we can enjoy each other’s company whether we’re just home alone or out with a group of friends. Lastly, I love him for loving me, exactly as I am."
Catherine ( Kitch) Venturi, Sayreville
"Our first date in 1959, Home Coming at his U. began the start of our love so true.
The time went on and we opened our books. As the years passed some dates and looks.
Then the War and he had to go, but in our hearts our LOVE did grow.
We wrote many letters and were very sure only together could we endure.
So in 1964, on the 9th in May, we walked down the aisle~~` this was our day!
We said "Goodbye" to our family, then boarded a plane for Hawaii. Following the orders of Uncle Sam, our life together now began.
When there our husbands deployed with gear while we new wives bonded and waited here.
Tears were shed and prayers were said as we counted the weeks we`d be safely together again.
My Joe remains to be ~~~an Officer and Gentleman to me.
A wonderful Father and grand Dad are the best gifts one can have.
Now 55 years have have passed ~~ our hair turned gray (his not mine) , though bones are aching.
There`s been some stress but our LOVE for each other is truly the BEST.
A TRUE LOVE STORY NEVER ENDS."
Meghan Dosil, Dunellen
"I love my Valentine because he is truly the hardest working man I know. Not only does he have a full time job, he brings our special needs sonto school every morning and picks him up every afternoon. He cooks, he cleans, he provides everything our kids and myself couldever want. Watching him grow into the most amazing father and husband has been a blessing. I am so thankful for this man."
Traci Ceras, Milltown
"I lost my friend in an accident. I not only lost my friend, but a piece of my heart that day. Who would have thought that 2 years later on that same day, I would be celebrating my wedding anniversary with my new friend and rock in which I met at the funeral that day. Joe & I grieved together and married 2 years later! I was a single mother with a 9 year old and diagnosed with multiple Sclerosis and he was well aware that my future was going to be a crazy one, however it didn't stop him from loving me and marrying me! We chose to get married on the day our friend passed 2 years later! It is a very special day for us. We both lost a best friend, yet gained a beautiful marriage & lasting friendship! I love my husband for not only always being my rock and taking care of me, but because he is a genuine good guy and stepfather! Since I chose not to have more children due to my disability Joe raised my daughter with me and we now travel together and make new memories!"
Shelly Lewis, Metuchen
"I met my chocolate mousse 26 years ago. In September, we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. I love my husband more today than I did when we first got married. He is the hardest working man and takes only vacation days off. He didn't argue when I took early retirement from my job. It has been a little tough making ends meet now, but he continues to work hard and trusts me to pay the bills in full each month. We have a wonderful, trusting and compassionate relationship and thankfully, never fight about money. I'm a lucky gal!"
Rich Katz, Hillsborough
"My wife and I have been married 38 years and we are not only husband and wife, but best friends. My wife, Jani, has endured numerous moves related to my job in addition to my extensive travel requirements while raising our two children. Additionally, my Military career required her to be flexible with her schedule. She is one of a kind and puts others before her. We met on a blind date back in 1979 and got married in 1981 in Roanoke, Va. with a reception in Pittsburgh where I am from. She had to move from Roanoke to Pittsburgh not knowing anyone and put up with my extensive travel requirements. While I was on an extensive audit engagement in California, she moved us from our apartment to our house with only her sister’s help who came up from Roanoke. I have been blessed with the woman of my dreams and have never looked back."
Jennifer Kaminski, North Plainfield
"I love my valentine because he is always there for me and puts our family first. We’ve been together for 11 years and married for almost two. He makes an ordinary day at home extraordinary and fun. He takes care of me and our 18 month old son when we are sick, even if that means getting sick himself. I hope our son grows up to be just like him with all of his great qualities. This super-dad is my Valentine!"
Diane Neunert, Piscataway
"What touches my heart about my husband, Craig, is his love for my parents. He was wonderful before, but when my father had a serious car accident in 2006, Craig showed kindness, caring, and patience with my Dad until his passing in 2008. I vividly remember how he once carried him into the house. Craig also shows his love for my Mother with Alzheimer’s and in a wheelchair. When we could still take her to church, he learned how to transfer her from the car to the wheelchair. For this and so much more, Craig is my true love Valentine."
Nicole Gifford, Vauxhall
"I love my valentine because with him by my side, I am able to conquer any challenge! Last year, we took a massive step by opening a small business together (By The By Vintage in New Brunswick, NJ). We returned to our college town - we met at Rutgers - to build something new in this super special community. We managed to have a successful 2018 despite tons of setbacks and complications along the way. Today, I am so proud of my partner in life, love and business. Our relationship has never been stronger! He works harder than anyone I know and deserves to be treated to a lovely Valentine's Day dinner."
Victoria LaSala, Middlesex
"I love my valentine because he is the hardest working man I have ever known, so selfless, and the best dad in the entire world. He took on extra hours this year so I can stay home with our three children. He is in law enforcement and works 16 hour shifts 5 days a week. He is super man. I would love to take him somewhere! It’s been a long time!"
Tiffany Prime, Manasquan
"My Valentine still loves me through a life changing traumatic brain injury I got three years ago. He helps me understand. He believes in me. He doesn’t tell me it's all in my head and he validates my feelings. He’s patient when I can’t figure out what I’m trying to say. He listens to how I've been affected physically, emotionally, cognitively even though it hurts him to know. My Valentine constantly guides our children through the ups and downs of my injury.He teaches our children about empathy, patience, understanding. Our love is growing.My husband is my true Valentine. I am blessed."
Alyson Klinger, Hillsborough
"My husband of 6 years is my Valentine. This Valentines Day, we will officially be together for 13 years. I have loved him for nearly half of my life. We met in high school and the rest is history. We’ve been through it all together - from attending college, graduating and building our careers, marriage, purchasing a home, losing a loved one, illness, pregnancy loss, and the birth of our two children to name a few. Our life is far from perfect but we’ve crossed each stage hand in hand and have never stopped supporting one another. I love you Kurt!"
Amanda Perez, Bound Brook
"I love my Valentine more than words can describe. We have been together for a total of almost 10 years. We broke up about 4 years into our relationship and i ended up having a baby with someone else in the year we were broken up. He's has been there for me and my son ever since. He is the most loving person in the world and i cannt wait to see wht else the future holds for us."
Marion Van Derveer, East Brunswick
"My special valentine is my beloved husband, David. We’ve been through sickness and health, joy and sorrow; all those things one would expect after almost 41 years together. We have two wonderful sons, two fabulous daughters in law and five amazing granddaughters! Each day we spend together, whether it’s a regular day, special event or vacation is blessed because he is such an amazing person. He makes me feel beautiful on my ugliest days. He makes my sad days bearable. He makes my challenges achievable. He makes feel strong when I am weak. I am such a blessed woman!"
Devan Stanton, Bridgewater
"This year is a little different than the last six. This year, my valentine has a new title - my husband! Our love continues to get stronger and my love for him grows every day. I love my valentine because he makes me laugh and smile every day. He has so much patience for my high maintenance self and goes with the flow. He’s very laid back which complements my personality nicely. His love, patience, and kindness to myself and others are the reasons I love him! I cant wait to spend an infinite number of Valentine’s Day with my man."
Daniele Valenta, Toms River
"My Valentine is my Husband Jay,. Our lives were intertwined before we were even born, being our parents were friends in High School. We had always been friends but I wanted more. So on February 14, 1993 I decided to send him a "Love Line" in the Courier News. It read Roses are red, Violets are Blue, I'd like to be more than friends how about you. Not only has he been a great husband, and my best friend our kids couldn't have asked for a better father. We will be celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary in just a few weeks on February 27th."
Melissa Ferris, Middlesex
"My Valentine is my husband of 22 years, Sean. We met when we in high school and have been together ever since. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t tell me he loves me, he makes me laugh like nobody else can and is always supportive of me!!! Sean works long hours but still makes sure to help me with our 3 wonderful kids and things around the house. He takes care of me when I am sick and pushes through even the darkest of days to make sure we are all taken care of!"
