Survey: First Dates On the Rise for Valentine's Day

Would you go on a first date on Valentine's Day? If so, would you pay for the date?

Needless to say, Valentine's Day is a popular holiday for couples everywhere. The day offers a chance for couples to take a breather from the daily grind and head out for a romantic evening, or, alternatively, enjoy a romantic evening at home. But what about those who aren't in a committed relationship? As it turns out, a recent singles study indicates that first dates on or around Feb. 14 are actually on the rise.  In fact, more than 2,400 Boston men are going as far as paying women for a first date on Valentine's Day, according to the study, conducted by dating-auction website WhatsYourPrice.com. Nationally, 369,282 first-date offers were made on the four weeks preceding Valentine's Day, the most of any one-month period of the year, …

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Classic Books to Share with Your Children for Valentine's Day

From Charlotte's Web to Where the Wild Things Are, share these classic books with your children and encourage their love for reading.

“Where’s Pa Going with that Axe?” The Enduring Quality of Children’s Classics By Anita Silvey Courtesy of James Patterson's Read Kiddo Read Foundation The opening line of E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web— “Where’s Pa going with that axe?”—has now been read by adults to eager young listeners for more than 60 years. Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and Ezra Jack Keats’s The Snowy Day have been picked up with enthusiasm for more than 50 years. For 75 years, parents have shared The Hobbit, and this year Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are turns 50. These books and others like them (Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Virginia Lee Burton’s Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, and L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables) bring …

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A Patch Valentine

Love Stories: Karen Goodburn

Karen tells the story about reuniting with her one true love.

It was 1990, I was a student at Blaine Hair School. At break time I was usually found outside dodging smoke since I was the only one from my circle of friends who didn't smoke.  On this particular day, Chris came to visit Linda, which was pretty typical, but this time he brought a friend. And there he stood in his bright red CB ski coat, tall, dark eyes, dark hair, tall, and did I mention tall?! Chris brought him over and introduced us, I fell for him instantly. Eddie, brought me mac 'n cheese for lunch the next day and that was the beginning of our four-year relationship. He was charming and very romantic, older than I and incredibly good looking (yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder). We had so much fun in four years, went to tons of…

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A Patch Valentine

Love Stories: Jamy Sugar

Norton resident tells the story of how she met her husband.

My husband and I met through a video dating club, "Great Expectations" in Dallas, TX in 1989.  We had both relocated to Dallas about the same time.  For over a year we lived less than 1/2 a mile apart, shopped at the same grocery store, used the same dry cleaners, ate at the same Chinese restaurant, but never once met.  I had joined the club as kind of a joke, but he joined because he travelled so much for work, he never had a chance to meet anyone.  By coincidence, I ended up going out with one of his sales guys and had a so-so time.  About our date, he told my husband, "She wasn't for me, but you'd probably like her...." so my husband asked me out. On our first date, we saw "When Harry Met Sally".  He knew I was the one when I laughed at…

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Valentines Day Guide: Local Candy Shops

Looking to buy a box of chocolates for that special someone? We've got you covered.

One week and counting, and you're still not prepared. Don't worry! We've got you covered. This week, we'll be giving you all of the local information you need in order to make Valentines Day special for that very special someone. Yesterday, we gave you a few options for flowers. Today we'll show you where to get that box of chocolates, and later this week we'll tell you where you can book reservations for Valentine's Day dinner and buy that sparkling piece of jewelry. Here are some local candy shops to consider. Click on the links for more details on the shop.

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Valentines Day Guide: Local Jewelry Options

Local jewelry options to consider on Valentines Day.

With less than a week until the big day, we're here to help you find that special gift. This week, we'll be giving you all of the local information you need in order to make Valentines Day special for that very special someone. Earlier this week, we gave you a few options for flowers, some local candy options, and some ideas for a Valentines Day night out. You still need to buy that sparkling piece of jewelry. Here are some ideas. Click on the links for more details on the store.

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A Patch Valentine

Valentines Day Guide: Local Dinner and Dessert Options

Local restaurants and dessert options to consider on Valentines Day.

Less than a week and counting, and you're still not prepared. Don't worry! We've got you covered. This week, we'll be giving you all of the local information you need in order to make Valentines Day special for that very special someone. Earlier this week, we gave you a few options for flowers, and some local candy shops. Today we'll give you some options for dinner during the special day, and tomorrow we'll show you where to buy that sparkling piece of jewelry. Here are some dinner options (and dessert options) to consider. Click on the links for more details on the restaurant. Dinner is over and you want to continue the evening. Here are some options for dessert:

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