I’ve never really loved Valentine’s Day. There’s always so much pressure to make sure it’s perfect. Too many expectations, if you ask me. I’ll admit, I’m sure I’ve hinted to past and present Valentines that he should try to make an effort but it always ends up creating some sort of tension or awkwardness. It’s not like I’m asking for a million-dollar date night!

In elementary school, I remember going to the drugstore with my mom or dad to look through the packages of Valentines to drop ever so conspicuously into classmates’ hand-decorated boxes.

Talk about pressure! Looking back, I used to toil over who received what Valentine card and made sure each message was perfectly suited for that person. Then of course came choosing cards for my crushes. One of my first, let’s call him “R,” certainly had his choice of ladies. I always made sure he received a “Would You Be Mine?” card and was obviously disappointed when I never received a reply.

Then there was “J” who evidently knew I existed, but I was always too shy to talk to him. So, another Valentine’s Day came around and there I sat deciding on a perfect card. Nope, he and I never ended up dating either. But, then again, what does a 9-year-old know about dating?

As I got older, Valentine’s Day meant many different things to me. As I type this, I’m thinking it’s just another day. However, I would like to share with you this simply sweet V-Day treat.

In case you’re looking for a casually relaxed date night, check out the S’mores for Two at Cosi at The Promenade Shops. Seriously, there’s nothing better then cozying up in a booth with a tableside s’mores kit. And, it’s cheap! Maybe you’ll even take in a good flick afterward.

Designed to make about three s’mores each, it includes a tiny tabletop fire pit, sticks for roasting marshmallows, and the necessary steps for creating a yummy dessert. What a fun yet cute and romantic experience! If you decide to try it, you’ll have to let me know what you think.

This year has certainly proven to become quite the wedding season for me. It’s actually been rather interesting because I’ve been invited to and attended three very different weddings with one more coming up in two weeks.

It dawned on me last year, when my college roommate, Angie, was married in Western Pennsylvania, that this was going to be my life for the next 10 years–bridal showers, wedding bells, and baby showers with a bachelorette party or two in the mix. Not that there’s anything at all wrong with it; just sounds sort of expensive!

But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate weddings as something more beautiful than just gathering families together for a big celebration. I secretly can’t wait to one day be engaged to someone whom I deeply love and to plan the perfect wedding day. Although, well, I guess it’s not so much of a secret anymore!

I’ve seen my two friends Alison and Nick exchange their vows at a casual affair in the grassy park area at Sand Island in Bethlehem with the Bethlehem Steel serving as a backdrop. It seemed like nothing suited their personalities better. We celebrated at Wildflower Café with homemade food and baked goods and a live band.

My cousin Ron and his wife Erin held a small, intimate wedding ceremony at the Allentown Rose Garden for immediate family members and gathered the rest of their family and friends together at the Saengerbund in Coplay for the reception. The outdoor banquet area was tastefully decorated and we all couldn’t have asked for nicer weather.

And finally, just last weekend, I attended Mike’s sister’s wedding at Palmer Moravian Church followed by a Green Pond reception. All eyes were on the weather as it had rained the entire day before, but as Eileen’s bridesmaids walked down the aisle, the sun came streaming through the stained glass windows. Couldn’t have asked for better timing.

Next up is Josh’s wedding at Sayre Mansion in Bethlehem. Not only is this one black-tie optional, but it’s at Sayre Mansion, one place I’ve always wanted to check out. Come to think of it, I still need to find a dress!

As LVS begins working on its annual Weddings In Style issue, and with all these weddings, it’s hard not to have bridal on the brain.

Yes, this is a question I ponder. Especially since Lehigh Valley Style recently arranged to combine our September Happy Hour with a singles meet-and-greet that Natalie over at Looper’s Grille & Bar in Bethlehem’s South Side has been planning to have.

Now, people in the know around here are aware that Natalie is somewhat the matchmaker. She is a wonderful person who just wants people to be happy and she has a couple of success stories to her credit. Apparently, standing behind a bar as much as she does makes her privy to many patron stories of love gone wrong and of quests to find love.

There’s little doubt that being single in the Lehigh Valley, is in itself, a challenge. It was frustrating in my 20s and now that I am in my 40s it seems nearly impossible. Associates are incredulous, too, because they assume that I meet all kinds of interesting people in my line of work and that it would be easy for me to meet potential love interests. Let me say, it is no easier for me than anyone else. I have the same issues as many single women out there. Although age does complicate the matter, I also have several friends in their 20s and 30s who tell me the same thing: They have no idea where to go to meet single people around here.

The real problem actually exists not just in the location, but more so in the numbers. Yes, you can go to a fine establishment like Looper’s and perhaps get lucky that two potential candidates are there when you are—and that’s on a good night. The truth is that with this typical approach it’s just too hit or miss.

So maybe Natalie is right. Maybe we need to have all the people who want to meet people show up for the Lehigh Valley Style Happy hour on September 15. At least we’ll know that everyone who attends is there with the same objective. And hey, if that doesn’t produce immediate results, LVS is going to feature six lucky singles in an upcoming issue to be chosen from the patrons attending the evening’s festivities. (BTW, you can find more information about the event and the feature on our home page).

 So am I done with dating? Let’s just say I’ll let you know after September 15.