A Sampler of Walnut Creek Love Stories

We have some Valentine stories to share. Patch put out the word for readers to contribute some Walnut Creek love stories and we got back some lovely tales.

Love finds the right time

Fifteen years ago, I worked at the Walnut Creek at the age of 18, with a 15-year-old co-counselor/friend. He wrote me love letters, but I told him he was too young for me, I was going off to college, and I had a boyfriend. Fast forward 15 years: The JCC sadly shut down, and he and I reconnected on the JCC memories Facebook page I created. We are now a happy couple and after some investigating, I found the love letters in an old box. So it seems the JCC continues to bring me joy, even after its closure!

 — Becca Brown

Romantic fiances and hubbies do beads

Don't know if this qualifies for one but I get the sweetest most romantic fiances and hubbies come to House of Beads on Locust Street next to Peets Coffee. It's funny because crafting jewelry is a woman's thing and there they are with their research paper at hand looking like they are trying to solve a puzzle as they shuffle through our beads. They patiently ask questions and fall in line next to the smiling elder ladies in this little mom & pop shop. One hubby insisted on hand picking every little bead and learning to patiently strand each bead to make a bracelet and necklace for his wife. He proved that if there is a will there is always a way, for sure. It was too adorable, comedic and gushingly cute to look at. They deserve a medal or something for what they end up with knowing they have never done beading in their life. And the amount of patience and discipline it took to put a smile on the woman of their dreams. Awwww.

 — Venus Templonuevo Ting

Editor's note: It qualifies, Venus!

The durability of love

Sixty-six years ago Feb. 10, Herman Denny & Joan Herrick were married. They met when they both were working @ Bank of America in downtown Concord. They fell in love on first sight and instantly became engaged. But the war was on, and so their engagement was 3.5 years long! As soon he came home, they married & placed their 15-foot trailer on the family property on Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette. Beginning their journey, the children, Susan & David, came right away. While Herman worked for the IRS, he finished his schooling @ UCB and built their house on the weekends, while Joan worked for the bank. They've never had a fight. Their priority has always been their family, which stretched from Santa Rosa to Watsonville. From the beginning, they have always been a team. The way every marriage should be. They probably have one of the oldest Walnut Creek phone numbers, which started when the lines still had an operator and a three-part party line. At 89 years each, they continue to dance and be the most loving & romantic of couples. Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

  — Suzy Inman

If you want to put your Valentine's story alongside these, please add it to the comments below.