Couples Celebrate Valentine's Day In Their Own Ways

Love is in the air today and local couples plan to celebrate Valentine's Day today in both traditional and untraditional ways.

For some couples like Chad and Lori Kellett , a quiet dinner for two is the traditional Valentine's Day treat. After exchanging "surprise" gifts, they plan to head out to Trumball Kitchen in Hartford, the place they met for their first date five years ago.

"We're usually so busy we don't get to eat out often, especially on a weekday, so it will be a fun treat," said Lori Kellett. "We usually just buy something small for each other-our rule is we don't give any hints."

While many couples also plan to follow cupid's arrow to local romantic hot spots, others like Pamela and Jeremy Carlson are adapting their romantic plans to a new addition to their family, a baby girl.

"We usually just to out to dinner but now that we have a baby we cook dinner at home or go out the weekend before," Pamela Carlson said.

Many couples with kids celebrate similarly, opting to "dine in" after the kids go down, renting a movie, or enjoying a low-key evening sitting in front of the fire.

"We usually stay in, just because it can be hectic going out on a busy holiday night, and we usually have more fun sipping wine and renting a movie we both actually agree on," Diane Taylor said. "We usually get a bunch of take-out appetizers from local places and wait to eat after the kids go down so we can actually talk."

While some couples mutually exchange cards and gifts, some admit it's become more of a ladies' holiday, with husbands and boyfriends doing most of the flower, chocolate and gift giving.

"I think Valentine's Day is more of a holiday for the women, but I don't think most guys mind, it's more of a romantic thing," Kelly Guise said. "I always tell my husband just a card is fine, but he actually does a good job of surprising me with something else - last year it was a day at the spa, and it was very appreciated."