Not Even a Gray, Rainy Morning in Sammamish can Stop the Red and Romance of Valentine's Day

At Sammamish Patch, we believe that romance is similar to gaining an education: Once you have it - and you know you have it - no one can take it away from you.

And so as the rain fell on the QFC parking lot in Sammamish late Monday morning, all one had to do to be reminded of that was to look at the gray, cloudy sky: In the air, bright red balloons - often in the shape of hearts - flickered.

The red contrast against the gray and in the slight chill made for a refreshing sight.

A Sammamish man walked to his car with balloons and flowers in hand. He declined to give his name. But he wanted one message to be known: Happy Valentine's Day, Sally!

Over at , a store near , people shopped for balloons, candy and stuffed animals to mark the day.

In Pacific Northwest style, people did what they always do: They lived their daily lives - and didn't let the weather stop them on this day of hearts and hand holding.

To celebrate Valentine's Day, Sammamish Patch is listing some quick at-a-glance facts about love and marriage. The information comes from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Oh, yes: If you're married, part of a couple or single, please treat yourself and others well.

If you're looking for a nearby place to have fun, Gold Class Cinemas in Redmond might fit the bill for you.

Let's get to the numbers:

24.3 pounds
Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2009.

18,509
The number of florists nationwide in 2008. These businesses employed 89,741
people.

2.1 million
The number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2009. That
breaks down to nearly 5,800 a day.

108,150
The number of marriages performed in Nevada during 2009. So many couples
tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked fifth nationally in
marriages, even though its total population that year among states was
35th. (California ranked first in marriages.)

28.2 and 26.1 years
Median age at first marriage in 2010 for men and women, respectively.

54.1%
The overall percentage of adults who reported being married.

69%
Percentage of people 15 years and older in 2010 who had been married at
some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.

6%
As of 2004, the percentage of currently married women who had been married
for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married
women had been married for at least 15 years.

393
The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These
establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125
people and pulled in $927 million in revenue.

19%
Percentage of people married twice among those who have ever married as of
2009. Five percent have married three or more times. By comparison,
75 percent of people who have ever been married have made only one trip
down the aisle.

8
Average length, in years, of first marriages ending in divorce.

3 1/2
The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage.

52% and 44%
Among adults 25 and older who have ever divorced, the percentage of men and
women, respectively, who were currently married.

Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine's Day:

Rose City, Texas                                

Rose City, Mich.                       

South Heart, N.D.

Loveland, Colo.                        

Darling, Minn.                          

Loveland, Ohio

Romeo, Colo.                                    

Sacred Heart, Minn

Loveland Park, Ohio

Lovejoy, Ga.                                   

Heart Butte, Mont.

Love County, Okla.

Loves Park, Ill.                                        

Valentine, Neb.

Loveland, Okla.

Lovington, Ill.                                

Lovelock, Nev

Lovelady, Texas

Romeoville, Ill.                                        

Loving, N.M.

Loving County, Texas

Rosemont, Ill.                                  

Lovington, N.M.

Valentine, Texas

Romeo, Mich.                                    

Love Valley, N.C.