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 couldnât believe it because she had no Cuban accent. âI had to show him my green card.â
What do you love about each other? âI love the way she is â sheâs very special, a great mother and an excellent companion.â; âHeâs a very tender human being, truthful and sincere with extraordinary moral values.â
What canât you stand? âWhen she spends hours shopping.â; âWhen he leaves his underwear in the bathroom instead of putting it in the hamper.â
Romantic nicknames? He calls her Corazon; She calls him Pi because he is constant…
Ideal âdate nightâ? âI love taking her to a nice dinner with a beautiful view of the sea and after that letting the night take its course.â; âI like going out on a sailboat with him at night with no captain, bottles of wine and sushi.â
Best Valentineâs Day surprise ever? âIn 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.â
How have you made each other better people? âWeâve learned from each other the essential things in life for us are values, standards and raising a healthy and strong family.â
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? âAzuca!â
VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Verso earrings â 18 karat white gold and pave diamond trim (3 carats); Calla necklace â 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: âOur son Ben, is the most good-looking, happiest and sweetest little boy; We also have 3 hermit crabs.â
Professions: Heâs a software engineer; Sheâs a housewife, substitute teacher, and open for big plans for the future.
How they met: During a hurricane. âSince then she calls me a hurricane,â he says.
What do you love about each other? âSheâs a wonderful mother, companion, and friend.â; âHeâs the smartest and most loyal person that Iâve ever met.â
What canât you stand? âSheâs still on Argentina time.â; âI hate his lies, even the little âwhite liesâ.â
Romantic nicknames? Both Modern Family references. âI call him Jay JAY Jaaaaay!â; âI call her Gloria.â
Ideal âdate nightâ? Him: âAn Ivette Sangalo concert.â; Her: âA nice dinner for 2 on a private beach, candles and a lot of champagne…â
Best Valentineâs Day surprise ever? Him: âShe professed her love to me in Spanish, English and Portuguese without making a mistake.â; Her: âWe have had many, but the best is yet to come…â
How have you made each other better people? âShe makes me a better father, friend and husband by leading by example.â; âHe made me his wife and the mother of his son. Two of the most important things that have ever happen to me.â
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? âPandoraâs Box!â
VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Spire ring – 18 karat white gold and (6.7 carats) of pave diamonds; Pan di Zucchero bracelet â 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. âIt was love at first sight,â they say. âWe were engaged 3 weeks after meeting!â
What do you love about each other? âShe always gives her best and is an amazing human being with a huge heart.â; âI love that he is adventurous, wise and spiritual â all qualities that are very hard to find in a man.â
What canât you stand? âI canât stand knowing that I could have met her before.â; âI canât stand being apart from him too long.â
Romantic nicknames? They call each other Morsis, a derivative of Amorcito.
Ideal âdate nightâ? âAs long as she is part of the plan, nothing else matters.â; âI like romantic dinners, a little dancing and lots of love.â
Best Valentineâs Day surprise ever? âBefore we were romantically involved, he made a ring out of a piece of hay and silently put it on my ring finger â it was a surprising and breathtaking moment I will cherish forever!â
How have you made each other better people? âSheâs my muse and her love has lifted me to a higher level.â; âHeâs inspired me to be courageous, trust myself and follow my dreams.â
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? âComplementary.â
VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Doppio Senso necklace â 18 karat white gold, jet and diamonds (6.86 carats); Nilo ring â 18 karat white gold, jet and diamonds (7 carats); Zsa-Zsa bracelet â 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: Heâs a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch for 40 years, and a founding member of the Nusme International Office, ML; Sheâs 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. âThe rest is history,â they say.
What do you love about each other? âSheâs full of surprises. I love her sincerity, her kindness, but most of all I love her smile.â; âI like his wit and dry humor, but most of all his tenacity for life.â
What canât you stand? âAfter 47 years, we have learned how to accept one another just as we are!â
Romantic nicknames? âThatâs our secret!â
Ideal âdate nightâ? âVery dry martinis, dinner with wine and a walk on the beach,â they say.
Best Valentineâs Day surprise ever? âWhen he asked me to marry him on Feb. 14, 1962!â; âWhen she accepted my proposal…but a distant second was the year she surprised me with a new Jeep!â
How have you made each other better people? âWe have learned to appreciate the joy of living and giving,â they say. âAnd weâve realized that a prayer and a smile can take care of many things in life.â
Best word or phrase to describe your relationship? âShe is the wind beneath my wings.â; âHe is my everything.â
VHERNIER Italian Jewelry: Vague earrings â 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