Key Couples

Eddy & Patty Quirch

Time together: 15.5 years
Home: Galen Breakers Condominium
Children: Two boys; 10-year-old Eduardo Jose (Eddie) and 9-year-old Sebastian (Sebas)
Professions: He works for the family business, Quirch Foods; She is the president of Shape Lovers, a fresh, gourmet meal delivery service.
How they met: They met in Puerto Rico. She had just barely arrived from Cuba and Eduardo couldn’t believe it because she had no Cuban accent. “I had to show him my green card.”
What do you love about each other? “I love the way she is — she’s very special, a great mother and an excellent companion.”; “He’s a very tender human being, truthful and sincere with extraordinary moral values.”
What can’t you stand? “When she spends hours shopping.”; “When he leaves his underwear in the bathroom instead of putting it in the hamper.”
Romantic nicknames? He calls her Corazon; She calls him Pi because he is constant…
Ideal “date night”? “I love taking her to a nice dinner with a beautiful view of the sea and after that letting the night take its course.”; “I like going out on a sailboat with him at night with no captain, bottles of wine and sushi.”
Best Valentine’s Day surprise ever? “In 2005, he surprised me with a trip to Paris for the first time in my life. It was wonderful also because my best friend from Cuba, Lisset, lives there and I had not seen her since 1991 when I left Cuba.”
How have you made each other better people? “We’ve learned from each other the essential things in life for us are values, standards and raising a healthy and strong family.”
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? “Azuca!”

VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Verso earrings – 18 karat white gold and pave diamond trim (3 carats); Calla necklace – 18 karat rose gold. Available by appointment at VHERNIER Miami, 135 San Lorenzo Avenue. 305.445.9356, Vhernier.com

Joe & Amelita Courtney

Time together: 5 years
Home: Cape Florida Club
Children: “Our son Ben, is the most good-looking, happiest and sweetest little boy; We also have 3 hermit crabs.”
Professions: He’s a software engineer; She’s a housewife, substitute teacher, and open for big plans for the future.
How they met: During a hurricane. “Since then she calls me a hurricane,” he says.
What do you love about each other? “She’s a wonderful mother, companion, and friend.”; “He’s the smartest and most loyal person that I’ve ever met.”
What can’t you stand? “She’s still on Argentina time.”; “I hate his lies, even the little ‘white lies’.”
Romantic nicknames? Both Modern Family references. “I call him Jay JAY Jaaaaay!”; “I call her Gloria.”
Ideal “date night”? Him: “An Ivette Sangalo concert.”; Her: “A nice dinner for 2 on a private beach, candles and a lot of champagne…”
Best Valentine’s Day surprise ever? Him: “She professed her love to me in Spanish, English and Portuguese without making a mistake.”; Her: “We have had many, but the best is yet to come…”
How have you made each other better people? “She makes me a better father, friend and husband by leading by example.”; “He made me his wife and the mother of his son. Two of the most important things that have ever happen to me.”
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? “Pandora’s Box!”

VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Spire ring – 18 karat white gold and (6.7 carats) of pave diamonds; Pan di Zucchero bracelet – 18 karat white gold with and pave diamonds (22.1 carats). Available by appointment at VHERNIER Miami, 135 San Lorenzo Avenue. 305.445.9356, Vhernier.com

Diego & Claudia Velasco

Time together: 5 years
Home: Key Colony, Emerald Bay
Children: 19-month old daughter, Emma
Professions: He is a TV producer; She is a singer and actress.
How they met: At Hiro in Aventura. “It was love at first sight,” they say. “We were engaged 3 weeks after meeting!”
What do you love about each other? “She always gives her best and is an amazing human being with a huge heart.”; “I love that he is adventurous, wise and spiritual — all qualities that are very hard to find in a man.”
What can’t you stand? “I can’t stand knowing that I could have met her before.”; “I can’t stand being apart from him too long.”
Romantic nicknames? They call each other Morsis, a derivative of Amorcito.
Ideal “date night”? “As long as she is part of the plan, nothing else matters.”; “I like romantic dinners, a little dancing and lots of love.”
Best Valentine’s Day surprise ever? “Before we were romantically involved, he made a ring out of a piece of hay and silently put it on my ring finger — it was a surprising and breathtaking moment I will cherish forever!”
How have you made each other better people? “She’s my muse and her love has lifted me to a higher level.”; “He’s inspired me to be courageous, trust myself and follow my dreams.”
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? “Complementary.”

VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Doppio Senso necklace – 18 karat white gold, jet and diamonds (6.86 carats); Nilo ring – 18 karat white gold, jet and diamonds (7 carats); Zsa-Zsa bracelet – 18 karat white gold, ebony and pave diamonds (3.8 carats). Available by appointment at VHERNIER Miami, 135 San Lorenzo Avenue. 305.445.9356, Vhernier.com

Luis & Gisela Fuentes

Time Together: 47 years
Home: The Ocean Club
Children: 2 sons & 6 grandchildren
Professions: He’s a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch for 40 years, and a founding member of the Nusme International Office, ML; She’s a marathon runner turned full-time grandma on call 24/7 and loving it.
How they met: They met as teenagers in Cuba, and reunited after running into each other at Crandon Park Beach in 1961. “The rest is history,” they say.
What do you love about each other? “She’s full of surprises. I love her sincerity, her kindness, but most of all I love her smile.”; “I like his wit and dry humor, but most of all his tenacity for life.”
What can’t you stand? “After 47 years, we have learned how to accept one another just as we are!”
Romantic nicknames? “That’s our secret!”
Ideal “date night”? “Very dry martinis, dinner with wine and a walk on the beach,” they say.
Best Valentine’s Day surprise ever? “When he asked me to marry him on Feb. 14, 1962!”; “When she accepted my proposal…but a distant second was the year she surprised me with a new Jeep!”
How have you made each other better people? “We have learned to appreciate the joy of living and giving,” they say. “And we’ve realized that a prayer and a smile can take care of many things in life.”
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? “She is the wind beneath my wings.”; “He is my everything.”

VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Vague earrings – 18 karat white gold and princess cut diamonds (8.83 carats). Available by appointment at VHERNIER Miami, 135 San Lorenzo Avenue. 305.445.9356, Vhernier.com