The News Tribune asked Northlanders to share their memorable love stories in celebration of Valentine's Day. Here are your submissions.
My boyfriend Paul Troskey and I - along with our friends and family, Tom and Jamie Jensen, and Dan and Carla Claus - went on vacation together in Florida in January. On Jan. 27, we rented a pontoon and traveled to Lovers Key State Park beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
While on the beach, Paul and I were collecting seashells and sand to bring home. At one point, Paul handed me a sea shell and wanted me to look inside. While I was opening up the shell, Paul got down on one knee. I looked inside the sea shell and found a beautiful engagement ring inside. Paul then asked me to marry him while our friends and family played and sang along to the song "Marry You" by Bruno Mars.
It was magical. Of course I said, "Yes!" We celebrated our engagement the rest of our vacation.
Submitted by Cathleen Halverson of Willow River
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My husband and I met each other in high school back in 1969. Being as young as we were, we parted ways after two-and-a-half years. He went into the Air Force, and eventually, we both created our own lives. We remained friends through all those years, even as far apart as we sometimes were.
In 1995, I returned to Duluth with my two children and eventually ended up back with my husband. During Christmas of 1996, he proposed to me.
To say these past 20 years have been enjoyable is an understatement. We now have seven adorable grandchildren, and they are the loves of our lives. Time may have passed all too quickly, but even today it seems like we were never apart.
Submitted by Jackie and Tim Hansen of Duluth
A few years ago, my husband passed away. We were married for 57 years.
About maybe two years after his passing, I was changing the battery on the carbon monoxide alarm when I noticed a surprise. Written on the cover, he left the message: "Love you. Don't worry, be happy. Seek the wisdom of the Lord."
It's a special Valentine any time I want to look at it.
Submitted by Jean Kirby of Duluth
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My husband Jeff and I met through a friend more than 25 years ago at Duluth Gospel Tabernacle - the church Jeff grew up attending. After dating for a year-and-a-half, we married at Hillside United Methodist Church in Duluth.
In celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary this May, we plan to take a trip back to our honeymoon location, Door County, Wis. We try to return there as often as possible.
Jeff has been my shining knight a time or two and is definitely my soulmate. He amazes and surprises me each and every day with his love and thoughtfulness. There is no one I would rather call the love of my life than Jeff Brantley.
Submitted by Sheri Brantley of South Range
One day, I walked into a church for the first time and was greeted by Darlene and her 20 questions about my life. During our conversation, she pointed out Wayne - who was playing bass guitar at the front of the church - because he was single, too.
A few months passed and Wayne and I made plans to do something together on Feb. 19, 2010. To me, this was a date. To Wayne, it was just a friendly dinner. But by the end of the night, he held my hand and gave me a kiss goodnight.
Plans were made for the next day, which turned out to be meeting his Chihuahua, Ziva, for approval. I am lucky that she approved of me.
Wayne's my soulmate and my best friend. I consider our meeting at church divine intervention, and I thank God every day that I can call him husband.
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Submitted by Laurie and Wayne Swor of Duluth
