For those newly married, Valentine's Day may be a continuation of "traditions" resulting from years of dating. Or, as in the case of Bryan and Kimberly Reno, it may be a time of settling into a new home. And of course, thinking of new "family traditions" to begin what is generally considered the day for hearts, flowers and chocolate.
For Bryan and Kimberly, the term "settling into a new home" really means exactly what it says. Since their move-in date is Feb. 10, and Valentine's Day is Feb. 14, there will likely be some unpacking and sorting going on. By the way, the new home is in the state of California, a big change for young marrieds from Prairie Home and Jamestown. Oh, yes, the new home is also on a military base, since Bryan is a United States Marine, also a big change for the young couple.
Kimberly shares the information the pair first met at a softball tournament when she was about 15. She said they did know of each other, but had never met. When they did meet, there was, of course, some rivalry - Kimberly was a Prairie Home Panther and Bryan was a Jamestown Eagle - and they only spoke a couple of words. But it didn't take much.
"The interest sparked right away for the both of us," Kimberly said. She thinks the school rivalry hindered their relationship, but, "It gave us games to look forward to throughout the year and we were able to have something to talk about or pick on each other more or less."
A few days after her 17th birthday in May of 2014, things picked up. "Only took him a few days to ask to see me," she said.
From there, interest continued to pick up for both, reaching a higher level on July 12, at the Prairie Home Fair. "He asked me to be his girlfriend," Kimberly said.
"We were very lucky being as we started dating July 12, 2014," she said, "which gave us exactly one of each holiday/birthday to spend as a couple. He left July 12, 2015 for Boot Camp."
Their first Valentine's Day as boyfriend-girlfriend was in 2015, and the two were in rival high school classes. "Therefore we spent Valentine's Day at my house playing Xbox and eating tons of junk food," she said. "That's just kind of our thing. I remember going to Wal-Mart and him telling me to go to the car. He had bought me a jumbo Valentine's Day card and had written a small letter inside for me. He's the sweetest. I also had received the most beautiful flowers which I accidentally killed since I had left them in my car. I kept one flower and still have it!"
At some point, Bryan let Kimberly know about his interest in going into the military. Each of them had brothers who served in the army, so it was only natural to accept that. "I was very supportive and always will be," she said.
Since no electronics were allowed, and phones just on weekends, it was letters traveling each way while he was in Boot Camp. Apparently a lot of letters. Probably only another military person can understand the importance of letters at Mail Call in Boot Camp or Basic Training. And those on the home front are not that far behind in appreciation of letters in such a situation.
As Kimberly related, "My husband has this way about him that can make even a simple piece of paper with a few words on it the most beautiful thing to me. Nothing will ever compare to his letters in Boot Camp though! We truly grew together and learned so much."
She went on to add, "He has told me plenty of times that he would not have been able to push through Boot Camp or School of Infantry (SOI) had I not been there for him to boost him up in letters and then on the weekend when given his phone."
At some point during the exchange of scores of letters, marriage came up. Fortunately for the young couple, he was able to return after graduation from Boot Camp for a little more than a week to assist in recruiting in Jefferson City. With almost no time at all for planning, arrangements were made and they were married on Oct. 17, 2015, in Columbia. Within a few days, Bryan headed back to California for nine weeks of infantry training.
He has now been assigned to his new base and Kimberly is joining him. "This year for Valentine's Day we will just be getting settled into our new home, so this Valentine's Day will probably be spent like the last and I am perfectly fine with that," Kimberly said. "It doesn't matter what I get, where we go or are, or what we even eat as long as I'm with him, because what I have always really wanted is going to be right there beside me and that's better than any restaurant, card or flower.
"My husband agrees as he has said I am the best gift he has ever gotten. Some fail to realize the littler things in life are the most important. That's something we have always gone by and it has always stood true. We'll be in our first home TOGETHER. I don't think there's anything more perfect than that!"