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OnTheCover: HappyValentinesDay!actions. Love, in its truest form, doesn’t require being in a romantic relationship. It’s about prioritizing the well-being of others and acting in their best interest.This Valentine’s Day, let’s embrace love in all its forms and strive to bring kindness and care into the lives of those around us. May we all experience the joy of a love that uplifts and nurtures.y Sally KalosBValentine’s Day has evolved significantly over the years, taking on various roles as a religiousindulge in some chocolate or flowers, or express your love and appreciation for those around you—be it co-workers, romantic partners, friends, or family—Valentine’s Day is what you make of it.At its core, the desire to love and be loved is a universal human experience. While physical love often stems from attraction, platonic love thrives on selflesscelebration, an ancient ritual, and a modern commercial holiday. This transformation highlights the flexibility of its meaning, allowing each person to interpret and celebrate it in their own way. Whether you choose to skip the festivities altogether,Love Story SubmissionsDisaster Brought Our Paths TogetherCelebrating 50 Years In JuneBy Rebecca HinojosaIt was a disaster! On September 20, 2017, the historic Hurricane Maria hit the island of Puerto Rico, leaving behind extensive damage, requiring a monumental federal disaster response effort. Victor Hinojosa, Army Veteran and Contracting Officer working for FEMA, and Rebecca Whitaker, an active-duty pharmacist working for the U.S. Public Health Service, were both deployed. As fate would have it, Captain Reyes was assigned to work with Mr. Hinojosa to establish 6 temporary medical stations across the island, as most hospitals and clinics were not operational. The team was successful in the mission, and Captain Reyes returned home to Arizona. Four months later, Victor emailed Rebecca to say hello and let her know the medical stations were successful in helping many islanders. They established a close friendship, quickly fell in love, and marriedBy Jim DeFrainInext door to her parents. I thought she was way too young for me, only 14, while I was 18. But when I saw her walking down to their boathouse after skiing all day... wearing her father’s dress shirt over her two-piece bathing suit... I had to go talk to her before my brother would.We watched the sunset and talked all evening through dinner until about 10pm when her mother whistled to say, “it’s time to come in.”A few days later, I asked her to the dance at the Holiday Ski Lodge... I was already falling for her. Before our date, her mother came over to talk with my mother to say she was concerned about her 14 year old dating so soon. My mother said, “My Jimmy is a good boy and he will respect her.”. And I did... I didn’t kiss her good night until our third date.She was the only one I never knew I always wanted. We dated off and on for thein 2021. They now call Helotes home, after he convinced her to become a Texan!next 8 years and were married in June, 1975. We have 3 kids and 7 grandkids.We will be celebrating 50 wonderful years together in June, 2025. We thank God everyday for the blessings he has given us.t all started in June of 1967... My parents introduced us when they bought a place on Lake McQeeneyCelebrating 24 Years Of MarriageThis Valentine’s DayIBy Lloyd Wellesleymet my beautiful wife Monique at a class I was teaching. She radiated energy as she entered the room. Hersmile was contagious, and I nervously avoided her gaze thinking surely, she was out of my league. I was too shy to even talk to her, but I did check for an absence of a ring! Needless to say, she returned for a future class. I asked her out on our first date to a movie called “Me Myself and Irene” Monique confessed that she was in love with me the moment she laid eyes on me that fateful day.What I was praying for had come true. I married this angel 24 years ago on Valentine’s Day. She is my guiding light, my best friend, and my soul mate. I will love her till the end of time.A Kiss On The Beach & TheRest Is HistoryMBy Debbie McDaniely fiancée and I met in 2020 right when they opened the beaches. My best friend and I decided tohead to the beach after being closed during covid. We were searching for a spot to park on the crowded beach as I saw a great big 40’ octopus kite in the sky and told my friend to park there. She took the dogs on a walk and I decided to join the people next to us.They were playing music and had lasers going. My fiancée asked me to dance in the sand, we kissed twice, and the rest is history. We plan to get married this spring!6 www.heloteshighlights.comFebruary 2025