This coming Sunday, Feb. 14, is Valentine’s Day.

This is a day when individuals will exchange cards, heart-shaped chocolate candies, diamond necklaces, special gifts and flowers with their special Valentine.

Barry Dobil Sr., owner of Josh Early Candies, South Whitehall, said that traditionally guys would purchase the candy for Valentine’s Day but in the last 10 years he has seen more women purchasing candy.

“Years ago, one gentleman would bring in a lace covered box and have it filled with chocolates for his wife for Valentine’s Day,” Dobil said.

“Two years ago, he passed away and now his children are following in tradition and bringing the box in to have it filled for their mother.”

Dobil also said that one year a man brought in an engagement ring for them to insert into a piece of chocolate so he could propose to his girlfriend.

Jeff Yoder, store director with Bixlers jewelry store, South Whitehall, said, typically over the years, more men than women would purchase jewelry, such as heart-shaped diamond necklaces and engagement rings for Valentine’s Day.

“However, women are starting to purchase jewelry for their Valentines,” he added.

Monica Yurconic-Groff, owner of Ross Plants and Flowers, Orefield, said the mindset of most shoppers is they are looking for traditional red roses for Valentine’s Day.

She said people also want traditional Valentine colors such as reds, pinks and purples.

Yurconic-Groff said while Valentine’s Day is considered as a man’s holiday of buying red roses for his spouse, she is seeing a lot more women buying flowers for their female friends, and people ordering flowers for their mothers, seniors or someone who is alone.

“This year is different because of COVID,” she said. “So, we are prepared through our website, curbside pickup and delivery service to accommodate shoppers.”

While many couples, friends and loved ones will celebrate Valentine’s Day, there are some who may be grieving the loss of a loved one due to COVID or other tragedy.

The Rev. Dianne Kareha, retired from Luther Crest Retirement Community, South Whitehall, offers a few suggestions for those who may be dealing with loss on this Valentine’s Day.

“Reaching out to somebody else is very therapeutic to the person who is suffering from the loss of a loved one,” Kareha said. “When you help another person or animal, it gets you out of yourself. It cannot only be helpful but rewarding.”

According to Kareha, some people find it therapeutic to look through old photographs to help them remember their loved one.

“When we are going through difficult times, there are several coping strategies that are helpful such as pets, crying, music, meditation, yoga, going on a retreat, prayer, getting enough rest and sleep, and talking to someone,” she explained.

For anyone who may be alone due to divorce or separation, and looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, is offering to name a cricket after your ex as part of its Bug Off program.

Make a small donation by Feb. 14 to name one of the zoo’s feeder crickets and workers will feed it to one of the Zoo’s ambassador animals.

“Our Social Media Manager Maria Mikols was doing research on the Internet and was inspired by events others were doing, so she put her own spin on what she had researched and came up with the Bug Off program,” Matt Provence, chief operating officer at the LV Zoo, said.

Provence said they had to come up with a different idea for Valentine’s Day instead of having the romantic dinner for two with the giraffe because of COVID this year.

Valentine’s Day may be a day for Cupid and romance, but there are many other ways individuals without a special Valentine can express love this Sunday.

Consider performing a random act of kindness for a complete stranger.

Donate money or food to an organization that helps others in need especially at this time with COVID and job losses affecting so many families.

And, don’t be shy about showing love to yourself.

No matter how you plan to express your love this coming Sunday, I wish everyone a happy Valentine’s Day.

Susan Bryant

editorial assistant

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press