How we got together
Wednesday 14 February 2007
We talk to three readers who've started relationships within the last year about how they got together, whether they've managed to stick by each other and how they celebrate Valentine's Day.High school sweethearts
Fifteen-year-old Kía found love right under her nose when she started dating someone she'd known for years. "Me and Craig had been at school, together for years, ever since primary," explains Kía. "We were at a school dance at the end of term and he asked me out. I was really shocked but said yes!"
When it comes to celebrating a day of romance, Kía can't wait. "This is the first time that I've not been single on Valentine's Day," she gushes. "It's going to be really special but Craig says it's all a big surprise and so I have to wait and see!"
Working together
A-level student James never thought that his volunteering work would benefit him as well as his local community. "I was working at the community centre during the school holidays with the summer club," James tells us. "Lauren was a volunteer too and we spent every day together and used to hang out in a group most evenings with the other volunteers. As we spent more time together, we realised we could be more than just mates."
Sadly for James, once life returned to normal, the duo lost their spark. "When school started up, we hardly had time for each other and we finally decided to split up at Christmas."
James is glad for the short time they had together. "We have stayed friends and I'm glad my first serious relationship was with someone special." They may not be together any more, but Lauren and James are still planning a romantic meal. "We agreed to meet up on Valentine's Day because we're both single; it should be a laugh but I don't want to get together."
Blast from the past
Suzannah's crush turned out to have been on her very own doorstep. "When I met Ryan at the youth centre, I couldn't work out where I'd seen him before," says the 16-year-old. It was only when she took him home to meet her mum did things fall into place. "My mum recognised him straight away; he'd been our neighbour in our old house and she knew his mum!"
Fate may have brought them together but Suzannah's not the romantic type. When asked how she'll be celebrating Valentine's Day, she says: "We'll probably just watch a video. I think Valentine's Day is too commercialised and anniversaries are the thing you should celebrate because it's more personal."
