Love is in the Air

from Colorado Parent Magazine February 2023

to do today

It’s important to take time away from your to-do lists and busy schedules and have a date night. When is a better time to take a date night than Valentine’s Day? Here are some romantic spots and getaways that every couple adores.

Love + Crafts Crackpots

The pottery store in Longmont, Crackpots, offers an interactive way to celebrate love this year with projects like creating a Love Potion or box, Couples Mugs, a Lantern, and more! There is an $18 fee per couple and an additional cost for the project. Reserve your spot online today. crackpots.com

Dinner for Two

Fruition Restaurant

The romantic restaurant Fruition is perfect for Valentine’s Day dinner. Pair your delicious plate with a cocktail and dessert. Seating is available at 5 p.m., and reservations are encouraged. The menu changes regularly, so jump online to peek at the gourmet plates. fruitionrestaurant.com

Date Night in PJs Home Base

For a romantic night, you don’t have to leave your house or break the bank. Stay home; make a fun, colorful meal together; pick a movie; or take a night stroll. Add a delicious and inexpensive bottle of wine to the night, like the Cote Des Roses Rosé ($17), Bogle Chardonnay ($12), or Barista Pinotage ($17).

Romantic Getaway

Brown Palace

The Brown Palace, a historic hotel in Denver, offers beautiful rooms, a spa, a delicious breakfast, and tea time. The hotel is near the Denver Zoo and Coliseum, so explore downtown with your partner. marriot.com

— Austria Cohn

Love in All Different Ways

From friendships to family to relationships - the word love has many different meanings. Buy a book for your kiddo that will teach them about love (and all the different forms). Here’s a list of books for the youngsters, tweens, and teens in the family - there is even a spooky book.

Children

In Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle, the Little Blue Truck delivers valentines to all his farm animal friends. While he gives out his cards, he begins to worry that he might not receive any valentines. This lovely children's book will tell kiddos the meaning of Valentine’s Day in a fun way.

Teach your child to embrace the uniqueness of their hair with the book Hair

Love by Matthew Cherry. Go on the adventure with Zuri and her father, who doesn’t know very much about styling hair, yet, he does anything that’ll make her happy. This empowering book explores Zuri’s unpredictable hair, with kinks, coils, and curls bouncing everywhere.

Middle School

Seventh grader, Keiko, expects a great year in the book Keep It Together, Keiko Carter by Debbi Michiko Florence. Yet, things don’t always go as planned. Kieko develops an unexpected crush, has friendship drama, and finds the courage to stand up for herself in this sweet story.

After one of her best friends receives a mean valentine, Nancy Drew becomes caught in the middle of two of her friends. Read the adventure and follow her journey to the truth in the book Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Valentine’s Day Secret by Carolyn Keene.

Teens

In This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, Remy, a teenage girl who doesn’t believe in love, finds herself in a relationship with Dexter, a romantic musician. She usually breaks up with boyfriends before they get too serious, but for some reason, she can’t bring herself to break it off with Dexter.

Add some paranormal activity to Valentine’s Day and read Valentine by Jodi McAlister. Four teenagers born on Valentine’s Day begin disappearing, and Pearl Linford, born on the same day, must figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.

Adults

BONUS: Learn about the different forms of love with The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman. This book is for couples flourishing and falling; you might even learn something about yourself!