It’s the week of Valentine’s Day, friends, and — believe it or not — even the staff of the Arkansas Times is not immune to the charms of Aphrodite. Though we’ve all been burned by that old girl more times than we like to remember, it seems we just can’t stop ourselves from tearing up the restraining order and letting her in every time she comes crawling back with tears in her eyes, asking for just one more chance. So it is with most people, even the most jaded among us. The heart craves love like a kitten craves cream. And the heart must be served.

Given that our street date this week falls just before V-Day, we decided to give a waking kiss to a slumbering chestnut that was a favorite back in the good ol’ days of the Times — a special issue on l’amour, in which we explore the red and pink palette of that smooshiest of emotions, speaking with regular folks about what they look for, or what they’ve found, in a partner. So, dearest love, doll yourself up for a blind date with Arkansans of all stripes who are either looking for love (some of them in all the wrong places) or who have found it in spades.

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Bobby meets Destiny
On and off, but together forever.
By Lindsey Millar

‘She touched my hand’
And that’s how Kat Wilson and Emily Lawson fell in love.
By David Ramsey

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First, a rehearsal marriage
But like Barbie and Ken, this couple is for keeps.
By Leslie Newell Peacock

Baby boom
Crazy in love for 14 years and married for 13, now Gerry Bruno and Jennifer Ruud-Bruno are expecting kids — plural.
By Leslie Newell Peacock

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Jess and the city
As the perpetually single friend, Jessica Wurst has been on a lot of dates. Sometimes she gets swept off of her feet. Sometimes things get strange. Sometimes both. We asked the Alma native, who now lives in New York, to tell us about her most memorable Arkansas dates.
By Jessica Wurst and David Ramsey

31 days of dating
Melissa Kordsmeier gains insight during her ‘Open Dating Month.’
By David Koon

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Love notes
For our Valentine’s Day issue this week, we heard many tales of love, loss and lust. Here are a few tidbits: marriage, divorce, sex and some memorable pickup lines.

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