Local Loves Stories: Oil Changes, Late Night Texts and Neighborly Love

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked Patch readers to share their love stories. For these three couples, Naugatuck was the place where their love began, blossomed and flourished.

Whether you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day or the thought of red and pink decorations makes you want to puke, we’ve got a hunch everyone could use some happy news this month. And what’s happier than a love story?

We asked Patch readers on Facebook to share their local love stories — how they met, where it all went down, and what’s kept them together. Three Naugatuck readers shared their love stories with us, which included everything from drunk-texting to teenage love.

The Couple That Found Their Way Back To Each Other

I was 17 when I met Steve. He was working at the local Valvoline. He was changing my mom's oil when I first met him, he made me laugh and I knew right then in there I had to get to know him. There is a 7-year age difference between us and things just didn't work out initially. Six years later we have found each other again, been together for a year and I cannot picture my life with anyone else. He is my best friend and the love of my life.

Story submitted by Ashely A.

True Love Has No Character Limits Or Overages

Well it all started with me drunk texting her for seven years. Some of it was nice and drunk-mantic. Other times it was terribly mean or depressing on my end.

Well she finally made me come out to dinner back in February of 2014 and we both got food poisoning. Even after all that I still had a good time.

Fast forward to May of 2014. May 30 to be exact. I decided to take the plunge and ask her to be my girlfriend and close to 3 years later I couldn't be happier. I love my girl to the moon and back and hope to spend many more years with her.

Story submitted by Sean C.

A Partnership Running on Love

Gary and I met as next door neighbors in 1980. He moved in next door to my house in Indian Hills. I was 16, and he was 17. We dated for two years. He proposed after one year, and I said yes. Gary joined Marine Corp in March 1982. He wrote me a letter from boot camp to plan a wedding in July after he graduated boot camp.

On July 3, 1982 we were married surrounded by family and friends at St. Vincent Church in Naugatuck. We were 18 and 20 years old. Didn't get good reviews on lasting very long. We had 2 children and and living in Naugatuck after 3 years in Jacksonville, North Carolina. We now have 5 grandchildren, and as of 2017 we will be celebrating 35 years of marriage.

Marriage is hard work. My grandfather asked me when I was 18 years old, 'What are you going to live on? I said, 'love,' and we do.

Story and photo submitted by Dawn B.

WATCH: The History of St. Valentine's Day In Under 2 Minutes

Have a local love story you want to share? Write to us at submissions@patch.com.