Bel Air Patch Readers Share Their Valentine's Day Love Stories

BEL AIR, MD — The word, "love," often elicits so many emotions—mostly good. One thing is certain, Americans will spend lots of money to keep it or find it.

In fact, Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach $23.9 billion this year, up from $21.8 billion in 2021 and the second-highest year on record, according to the National Retail Federation.

While date nights, chocolates, and jewelry can easily burn a hole in your wallet, love is good for the body, health experts say. Lower blood pressure, less depression, better stress management are just a few of the many health benefits, according to WebMD.

This Valentine's Day, we asked Bel Air Patch readers to send us their coolest, funniest or most unique love stories. The responses did not disappoint.

Here are three messages from several of our readers that'll make your heart skip a beat this Valentine's Day 2022.

From Larry Smithson, of Bel Air, to his wife

I was on a date at the Amber Light Inn and my now wife came in with her girlfriend, she saw me and said I need to meet that fellow. Her friend introduced us, we will be married 37 years in May. Sooo Glad she wanted to meet me!!❤️

From Steph Nesseth Stoessel, of Bel Air, to her husband

My husband used to go on the radio once a week to talk about upcoming movies when he was a GM at AMC. One day, the hosts asked if he had a girlfriend. He said no and I immediately called the station and asked him out. That was 22 years ago and we have two boys now.

From Mary-Theresa Delaney, of Bel Air, to her husband

My parents and inlaws lived down the street from each other. Our mothers were pregnant with us together, they went to doctors appointments together, etc. His mother actually called my mother to drive her to the hospital when she was in labor with him, but my mother was due around then too, so she found another neighbor to drive my mother-in-law.

I was born three days after my husband, so we joke it was an arranged marriage. They moved shortly after we were born but kept in touch, they came for a visit and my mother very boldly asked my now-husband if he had a girlfriend because I was available if he didn't, we dated long distance for a year, then I moved down to be closer to him, we will be married 24 years this year.