Real Love Stories to Make Your Heart Melt

Brighton-area couples share their personal love stories with readers.

Love is unpredictable in that it can strike suddenly or take its time to grow and bloom. It can happen anywhere, at anytime, to anyone. To celebrate one of the calendar’s most love-filled days, these three Brighton-area couples decided to share their tales of how and when Cupid shot his arrow into their lives. Laurie and Gary Umlauf met in high school when they were both 15 years old. They began dating during their senior year when they went to prom together — but this isn't your average high school sweetheart tale. After dating for about two years while in college, the couple broke up. "Junior year, he broke up with me and broke my heart big time!" Laurie said. "I eventually moved to Chicago, he stayed in East Lansing — we both dated …

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Contest: Rochester Hills Woman Wins Patch Valentine's Day Contest

Jessica Long's prize is overnight stay at Royal Park Hotel.

It was a last-minute entry on Wednesday morning that was selected as the random winner of Patch's "Object of My Affection" Valentine Contest. The winner, Jessica Long, of Rochester Hills entered a picture of a sunset on Lake Michigan in Leland. In the caption she wrote: ".. one of my favorite vacation spots. I might get back there this summer; I'll settle for a night at the Royal Park in the meantime." Long will receive an overnight stay at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. The package will include two Valentine martinis and the choice of one of the following to be delivered to her room: Make Whoopie (the couple can enjoy making their own whoopie pies); Sweetie Pies with Milk Shooters; Champagne and dipped berries. Patch received 194 …

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Romantic Recipes: Eat Your Heart out with These Valentine’s Delectables

Try these favorite dishes to make you fall in love all over again.

When my husband and I were dating some 20 years ago, I decided to try to impress him with a home-cooked meal for Valentine’s Day. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? I knew my man’s stomach was no exception. So off to the market I went for fresh shrimp, wine, flowers and more. I’d seen my mom make a deviled shrimp dish for my dad through the years, and the two always seemed to be happier when tucking forks into this delicious seafood-starring meal. The same was true with my then-boyfriend and me the night I made it for him, and I’ve been creating deviled shrimp for us for Valentine’s Day ever since.  Culinary prowess and affairs of the heart go hand-in-hand for several Metro Detroit and nationally known chefs.  Here are…

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Contest: Win an Overnight Stay at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester

Show us a picture of the object of your affection and you will have a chance to win a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day!

UPDATE: The contest is now closed and we'll be announcing the winner, Thursday, Feb. 9. Thanks for your entries! Valentine's Day is fast approaching and we've got the perfect gift for you and your sweetie: an overnight stay for two at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. So, enter our "Object of My Affection" contest for a chance to win. Here's how: Besides the overnight stay, the Royal Park package will include two Valentine martinis and the choice of one of the following to be delivered to your room: Make Whoopie (the couple can enjoy making their own whoopie pies); Sweetie Pies with Milk Shooters; Champagne and dipped berries. Even if you don't win the prize, this Valentine's Day package is available to any hotel guest throughout the …

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Flowers, Candy, Jewelry and More

Use our helpful gift guide for store locations around Hartland and Brighton to help you this Valentine's Day.

With Valentine's Day just over a week away, the hunt for the perfectly sweet gift that says, "I Love You" or maybe just, "I like you a whole lot," is on.  For some, the best gifts are the homemade kind but for others, it's flowers, chocolates or jewelry. However you choose to show your love and tell your partner just how special they are, here is a helpful guide of places around Hartland and Brighton that could help you on your quest. For Moms and Sweethearts: For Couples: For Her For Him For the sweet tooth:

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The Heart Beat

Looking for A Love Story? Check Out These Books

Follow your heart to the library or bookstore where the best in love stories (both self-help and fiction) awaits.

Whether or not romantic love is in your life, there are several great “love”-themed reads that range from traditional boy-meets-girl stories to those that focus on self-love reflection. Michelle Wooddell, co-owner of the Berkley Book Corner in Berkley, suggests delving into the world of love triangles, bridal showers and singles ads. Her favorite picks for Valentine’s reading include: An Available Man,  by Hilma Wolitzer. New in Hardcover – this is the story of a widower who cautiously makes his way back into the dating world when his children place a singles ad for him.  “Will he find true love again?” asks Wooddell, who lives in Huntington Woods.   The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides, is  one of 2011’s best novels, says Wooddell, and…

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Grin and Parent

Love Bites

A Brighton mom offers up this dolled up version of a classic snack that is sure to win the hearts of children and adults alike.

Whether you’ve got a sweetheart with a sweet tooth or a child with a classroom party, this simple recipe is likely to garner admiration. It’s great for the office, too. But, beware: their charm doesn’t wear off easily. Your coworkers and fellow parents will request the dish and the recipe for years to come.      A healthier substitute for chocolates and candies, these glorified Rice Krispie treats feature apples and cream cheese. In other words, you’ve got a little grain, a little fruit, and a little dairy — all that with a little sugar on top. Aside from the lovely crispy/crunchy and tangy/sweet texture and flavor combinations, my favorite thing about this recipe is that it’s easy to make your own. Because you’re essentially making a …

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The Heart Beat

Top Romantic Movies for Valentine's Day

Love wends its way among emails, historic hotels, bookstores and heart transplants in these romantic films.

What's the most romantic movie of all time? A good friend who’s a huge movie buff said The Bridges of Madison County is "up there,” but added: "I almost can’t watch it anymore because it’s so heartbreaking.” She decided it’s easier to name the most romantic scenes, such as one from It’s a Wonderful Life. “Mary (Donna Reed) is on the phone trying to ignore James Stewart and he finally can't stand it and just grabs, kisses, hugs her," she recounts. "Then there’s Rhett kissing Scarlett by the fence after Atlanta burns in Gone With the Wind.” Indeed, those scenes really do make the heart go pitter-patter. Jessica Jackson, manager at the Blockbuster video store in Clawson, said The Notebook, Dear John, and The Last Song are three most-popular …

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