The Richmond Free Press congratulates the five brave couples who shared their recipes for finding and sustaining love and marriage in this year’s Valentine’s “Love Stories.”

From sparks of affection that flew on the job, or spotting that special someone at a bus stop on Idlewood Avenue.

Or maybe love called years after noticing a dashing young fellow at a horse show. Or perhaps the magic happened when two broken hearts became one. For others, the “just one look, that’s all it took” meant showing up in a dapper blue suit.

Wherever you find or define love, whether it’s steeped in romance or spread among colleagues, community, family, friends and neighbors, the key to everlasting love is grace, kindness, respect and understanding.