What are the chances of finding true love this year? The annual litmus test of romance, Valentine’s Day, is right around the corner. If you haven’t found that special someone yet, perhaps a few hard facts concerning married and single folk will help put into perspective the overwhelming job Cupid has to perform over the coming year.
According to the History Channel website 2.2 million marriages take place in the United States annually which breaks down to about 6,000 a day. 138,600 marriages were performed in Nevada during 2003. So many couples "tie the knot" in the Silver State that it ranked fourth nationally in marriages.
25.3 and 27.1 are the estimated U.S. median ages at first marriage for women and men, respectively, in 2003. The proportion of women 20 to 24 years old who had never married more than doubled between 1970 and 2003 — from 36 percent to 75 percent. Changes were also dramatic for men — the corresponding rate for men in this age group increased from 55 percent to 86 percent.
There are 118 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages. There are 33 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) age 65 and over for every 100 single women of the same ages.
As for tokens of love and affection, their numbers show that courtship isn’t dead. This is the perfect time of year to make your feelings known, even if you’re just a secret admirer. Whether it’s candy, flowers or jewelry, don’t let the day pass without some sign of devotion to that special person.
24.6 pounds of candy per capita were consumed by Americans in 2003; it is believed a large portion is consumed around Valentine’s Day. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled more than 27 pounds of candy a year.
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2003 was $52 million for all operations in 36 states, with $100,000 or more in sales.
There were 28,914 jewelry stores in the United States in 2002. In February 2004, these stores sold $2.4 billion worth of merchandise — a much higher total than in the preceding month or succeeding months.
V-Day is also a good time to take your sweetheart out for a special dinner and some dancing. Here are a few places to make it happen.
The Moonlight Ballroom Dance Club of LaGrange will hold a Valentine Dance February 11, from 8 - 11 p.m. at the Troup County Recreation Center in LaGrange. Music will be the Jim Evans Band. Dress will be "coat & tie/dressy" and visitor couples are welcome - $15 per couple. Enjoy waltz, swing, shag, foxtrot, rumba, samba, cha-cha, tango and more! For more information on the dance or couples' dance lessons, call (706) 884-5857 or (706) 637-9295.
The 21st Annual Valentine Ball and Auction sponsored by the Endowment Committee for the Cultural Arts of Fayette County is at the Wyndham Executive Conference Center in Peachtree City. The gala formal evening Saturday begins with a social hour at 7 p.m. followed by a deluxe full course dinner with wine, the live auction and dancing to the music of the Class Act Orchestra. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Mandee Kulaga, Miss Starr’s Mill High School 2005. Tickets are available through Ball Chairperson Suzanne Heil at 770-487-8508.
Fayette Youth Protection Homes will host the second annual "Angels Among Us" Valentine Dinner Dance and Silent Auction at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at Glendalough Manor in Tyrone. The event features the music of Suburban Legend. Proceeds benefit the Johnson and Friday homes. Tickets can be purchased for $75. Information: 770-461-7020.
Treat your sweetheart to something wild on Valentine’s Day! Spend a romantic evening at Zoo Atlanta’s annual event, “Love in the Zoo” taking place Feb. 12 from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
During this special program, for adults 21 and above, participants will explore the world of animal mating rituals. The evening includes a drink of your choice and a savory five-course dinner prepared by Affairs to Remember Caterers. Nibble on mixed field greens with orchard red and green apples, toasted sugared pecans served in balsamic vinaigrette. Tempt your mate with a main course of chicken stuffed with artichokes and goat cheese followed by bowtie pasta sautéed with fresh pesto, garlic and pine nuts. An assortment of fresh breads and mixed vegetables will cleanse your palate just in time for a heavenly dessert experience…a display of tantalizing treats that include toffee dreams, brownies and chocolate dipped strawberries.
Your meal is followed by dynamic presentations highlighting unusual and interesting courtship and mating behaviors within the animal kingdom, including the behaviors of Giant Pandas, primates, amphibians and reptiles, elephants and birds. Enjoy entertainment and exotic animal encounters! Love in the Zoo is proudly sponsored by Panda Express and provides a unique and romantic adventure to make your Valentine’s Day special. Cost is $60 per person for Zoo Members and $69 per person for non-members. Reservations are required. Space is limited, book your reservations early.
Whatever you decide to do, just remember that St. Valentine, martyred in third century Rome defied Emperor Claudius II by performing marriages in secret. The Emperor wanted to keep young men from marrying so they could serve in his army. St. Valentine was put to death for his actions. While he was waiting in his cell, he fell in love with a young girl, possibly the jailer’s daughter. He wrote her a letter before his death and signed it ‘From Your Valentine’ and began a worldwide tradition with his selfless acts of courage.
