By Khalida Sarwari
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and around every corner on Big Basin Way there’s a reminder that love is not only in the air, but on the window panes.
Saratogans young and old poured out their affections for that special someone–be that their parents, teachers, or even their four-legged friends–on pink and red paper sprinkled with hearts galore.
On the Chamber of Commerce’s window, for example, there’s a whole collage dedicated to the most adorable group of residents in all of Saratoga. Pictured in the collection of “Chamber Champs” are the likes of Moose, Taz, Yogi and Noodle. Others that made the cut are Bentley, Jake, Luna and Zoey. Underneath their handsome furry faces is a heart that reads: “We love all Saratoga dogs.” One glance at the poster and there’s no doubt about that.
Bound by a flurry of hearts, some of the notes below the poster read: “Dear Bella, what a gift you are to us! We love you more and more every day! Love, the Daddies;” “Jake the labradoodle loves Denise;” “We love our dog Mouton;” and “Molly & Cooper, will you be my Valentine? Love, Katie.”
Cute as they are, the dogs are facing stiff competition from Saratoga’s smallest residents, who got crafty with their notes. In her note on the window of Big Basin Cafe, 3-year-old Bella from Saratoga Presbyterian Preschool cut out a heart and wrote: “I love to play with my mom and pretend she is Sonic.” On the window of Farmers Insurance, Bella’s schoolmate Jackson, 4, has a note dedicated to his sisters, and his classmate Kelly, also 4, dedicated her note to her mom and dad.
Bank of America’s window features notes from a class of 5-year-olds at the preschool. In a note addressed to his father, little Matthew writes: “I love you because you take care of me. My dad takes me to work for dinner.” His classmate, Cate, writes: “I love you because you make me dinner and take me out to eat. My mom and dad take very good care of me!” Underneath their notes, their teacher, Miss Lisa, writes: “I love you all so very, very much! Thank you for coming to our class. You are kind, helpful and fun to play with. I am a very lucky teacher.”
Kaia may be only 5, but her parents’ efforts aren’t lost on her. Her note reads: “I love you because you make me happy. You take me to birthday parties. You play with me. You make me lunch. You take me to school. You take care of me.”
Some kids took the opportunity to underscore their parents’ hidden talents. Parker, 5, wrote: “I love you because my mom helps me with my video games. My dad can fight mountain lions.”
On the window of Bai Tong Thai Bistro, the notes start off with “I love … ” Katie wanted to let the world know the ones nearest and dearest to her heart are her mommy, daddy, big sister, and oh yeah, “my ice cream.” Kendall expressed his love for his brother, Tahoe, dad and mom, while Julie kept her note short and to the point: “candy, cookies, ice cream, Tahoe.”
Yasmin writes: “I love … Skittles! nature and hamsters! my fameli (sic)!” Kate’s love letter is addressed to “God, brother, my mom, Earth,” while Silas’ letter highlighted his love of “chocolate, LEGOs, ice cream, pool, fish.”
The “Love Notes” initiative is held annually by the Saratoga Village Development Council to commemorate Valentine’s Day in the city. The notes will be posted on the windows of Village businesses through Feb. 15. After Feb. 15, the businesses will retain the notes until Feb. 21 for pick up.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day elsewhere in the city, Cafe Pink House is hosting a special concert on Valentine’s Day featuring singer-songwriter Jessica Johnson. The show is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 14577 Big Basin Way. Tickets are $20 and available on the venue’s website atcafepinkhouse.com.
For the intellectually inclined, the Saratoga Library is hosting its first ever “read-dating” event. Singles between the ages of 25 to 40 are invited to bring one or two of their favorite books to talk about in the span of a five-minute date. When the five minutes are up, participants rotate to the next person. Afterwards, there will be time for mingling over a light buffet dinner.
The books can be about anything. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up for the event at the adult reference desk as the event is limited to 30 people.
The program runs from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga.
Link: Messages of love cover the store windows in the Saratoga Village
