No, love doesn’t stop because of a pandemic
Virus fails to deny celebrations thanks to a little creativity,
For Susan and Ivan Martin, Valentine’s Day isn’t just another holiday.
On that day, 32 years ago, they were engaged.
“It has always been a special day,” said Susan Martin of Bath. “We have always spent the holiday at home and it’s been about the two of us.”
COVID-19, which has clung to the Lehigh Valley for nearly a year, isn’t stopping folks from celebrating Valentine’s Day with those they love.
They’re just finding creative ways to do it.
For many, this means celebrating at home instead of dining out at their favorite restaurant or seeing a show/performance with friends.
Celebrating at home has a whole new meaning for the Martins this year.
In the middle of a global
pandemic, in August the couple moved from Jersey City to their dream home near Bath.
They came to love the Lehigh Valley, especially the Bethlehem area, after yearly trips through the area on their way to visit Susan Martin’s family in York.
They decided to take the plunge and began their retirement by moving.
“We bought the place sight-unseen,” she said. “And we weren’t sure if we’d sell our condo in Jersey City.”
Despite those challenges (and those that come with moving in a pandemic), the Martins are now in their dream home with plenty of space to enjoy.
Taking stock of what’s important and being home to enjoy a special surf and turf meal, the Martins plan to make the most of their Valentine’s.
“We have so much to celebrate this year,” she said. “It feels more celebratory this year.”
Like many couples, Kelly Sessions and her husband, Nick Woodward, have spent most of their time safe at home in Northampton since the pandemic began.
They’ve made good use of some of that time, which will help them celebrate on Valentine’s Day.
“We’ve been using our time at home to learn to mix new cocktails,” Sessions said. “We’ll either make one of those or pick up some craft beer from Tanczos in Northampton. “
Sessions and her husband also found a way to enjoy theater while being home: “Mischief Movie Night In,” a Londonbased theater troupe, takes audience suggestions to improvise a “movie” that viewers watch via livestream.
The couple plans to watch a rom-com version on Valentine’s Day and enjoy some drinks.
“It’s been almost a year since birthday parties, weddings, or family holidays, so we’ve had to create our own special events,” Sessions said. “It helps to plan an activity (like a takeout or a special home-cooked meal) or buy tickets to an ‘event,’ put it on the calendar, and have something to look forward to. Otherwise that ‘Groundhog Day’ effect can make things feel a little bleak. That’s why we wanted to be sure to do something fun and out-of-the-ordinary for Valentine’s Day this year.”
Rebecca Monroe and her husband, Josh Daigle, of Allentown usually spend Valentine’s Day eating a special restaurant or taking a trip to New York with friends to see a play.
Not this year.
Undeterred, Monroe said she and her husband have planned a full Valentine’s weekend.
First up, a game of Zoom murder mystery with friends. Each person on the call chooses a character and then the group has to try to solve the mystery.
“It can be a lot of fun, especially if people have a little ‘ham’ in them and want to ham it up,” Monroe said.
The couple also has a reservation to enjoy brick oven pizza and a bottle of wine at the Sorrenti Family Estate in Saylorsburg, Monroe County. The winery has outdoor, heated domes that provide a pandemic-friendly place to eat and enjoy a glass of wine.
After nearly 23 years of marriage, the couple could easily just skip Valentine’s this year.
But that’s giving in to the pandemic.
“It’s really important to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year,” Monroe said.
“It is a great day to express your love and caring for the people in your life. We have all been separated and I just feel like it’s a time to come together and share the love we have for each other. This Valentine’s is really about healing.”