Valentine’s Day: most folks either love it or hate it. I honestly have never really been a huge fan. But it does have a special place in my heart because Tim and I started dating, quite by accident, on Valentine’s Day of our freshman year in college.

I started crushing on him about a week after I met him, and I met him my very first day on campus. We because very good friends, but all of my Southern charms seemed to fall flat on this kid from Washington. He was a tough one, which of course, made me work even harder to get his attention. I’d like to tell you that he was super strategic and knew exactly what he was doing, playing hard to get and all, but the truth is that he was just clueless. Ha!

Anyway, I asked him out on several dates throughout our first year of college, and each time I would realize about halfway through the date that he didn’t know that we are on a date. Oh man…this guy was dense! I finally realized that I was going insane, and certainly making my roommate and hallmate insane with my over analysis of all our conversations. So I just told him one night after we had enjoyed some Japanese food, a terrific play and a trip to one of our favorite greasy spoons for a slice of pie (isn’t that so obviously a date?!…I still don’t know how he didn’t realize it!).

After professing my deep and abiding like of Tim, he admitted that he thought I was fantastic, too. And then we shared a very awkward moment where neither one of us had any idea what to say next. At that point, my Resident Assistant came by the social room we were in on her rounds and said, “Happy Valentine’s Day, guys!”

It was after midnight, and so it was, in fact, Valentine’s Day. I wanted to barf. Except for that I was also REALLY excited that Tim and I were now an item, even if that meant it had to happen on a Hallmark holiday.

This Valentine’s Day will mark 13 years that we have been together. Don’t you think that’s deserving of an extra special celebration Perhaps something like a trip to Paris, the most romantic city in the world?

Master Lock is currently hosting a giveaway in honor of both Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month. When you send a love lock through MasterLoveLock.com, you will be entered in their “Lock Up Love & Getaway” Sweepstakes! Additionally, each lock sent and received through the website will generate a one dollar donation to AHA, courtesy of Master Lock. And someone is going to win a trip for two to Paris, France. I’m going to go ahead and state that I think it is going to be me, or should I say, moi, who will win.

But try your luck. Maybe Cupid has his arrow pointed in your direction today! Even if you don’t win the big trip (you know, the one I will be taking), you can also win a $1,000 Visa gift card and Valentine’s Day themed gift packs such as flower arrangements, luxury candles, romantic DVDs, chocolates, the super cute Master Lock 1509DLOV Love Lock and more.

I am a member of the Master Lock Live Secure Safety Squad, and as such, I receive complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own, however.