February 2008 - The Parklander Magazine

R10 FEBRUARY 2008EDITOR’S NOTEWhat’s LoveGot to do With it?Remember when your grade school teacher told you to bring enoughValentines for everyone in the class and then she had you all line up, redfacedand giggling, to distribute one to everyone so no one felt left out,and everyone, even the class misfit, was made to feel special on that day.Isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about—making the person you careabout feel extra special. In my first year of college, my boyfriend at thetime didn’t have a lot of money, so he gave me a book that he foundparticularly enlightening called Illusions, in which he wrote a loving,encouraging note about how I should always keep writing, accompaniedby a single red rose. I suppose the book had some deeper meaning for meat the time, but still, I never forgot that gift, it was so precious andthoughtful. My parents however, never quite “got it” and, always lookingout for my financial welfare, were relieved when we didn’t stay together.Even today, they refer to him as “the one with the book.”Things looked up for me years later when I met my future husband whowas an exceptional listener and a surprisingly meaningful gift giver. If Ijust casually mentioned a book that I might like, or a musical artist thatmoved me, or a concert that I would like to see, he locked that info awayand to my delight, surprised me with them later on. Whether they wereinexpensive or expensive items didn’t matter—he cared enough to listenand find out what was important to me. In this months issue we featurearticles about being spontaneous and awe inspiring in your gift-giving.It’s all about the planning— listening to subtle clues from your partnerand finding out what she/he really wants. Maybe it’s as simple asrecreating the magical night you first met, or watching a romantic movietogether (we’ll give you lots to choose from) or cooking a romantic mealside by side.The possibilities are limitless.Inside, you’ll meet our five engaged couples and they’ll reveal their romanticsecrets, how they met and how they plan to keep their relationships aliveand everlasting. Take a cruise with us to the islands of Cozumel and IslaMujeres as our travel writer flashes back to a simpler time when the charmof “Old Mexico” was a lover’s paradise. Check out our wedding experts tipsfor guys on the perfect plan to pop the question and enjoy our story onGeorge Washington and his paramour Sally Fairfax in honor of President’sDay. It’s one love story that changed the course of history!Get ready for a sneak preview of two exciting local events coming inMarch, the Coral Springs Arts Festival featuring talented artists,entertainment, and writer’s workshops and the 2nd annual Red CrossShow House featuring two magnificent houses from one of FortLauderdale’s finest neighborhoods.Next month we’ll meet the contestants in our biggest loser’s contest.Follow along as they embark on a personal journey and share in theirweight loss successes. Call it the “luck of the Irish” as we revel in all thingsgreen. Get ready to kiss the Blarney Stone, make a wish on your luckyfour leaf-clover and sip your ice-cold green beer. Until then, get inspiredand let your creative Valentine’s energy flow!Best,Susan