Lawrence Countians will celebrate this day of love in a variety of ways, from dinners out to Valentine's Day cards, but it is not typically the day when matters of the heart take a formal turn for area residents.

Lawrence County Juvenile/Probate Court Deputy Clerk Nancy Smith said Valentine's Day is not necessarily the day county residents flock to the courthouse to pick up a marriage license to tie the knot.

"Sometimes it's busy and some years it isn't," Smith said. "It seems like June and December are the biggest times."

So, what will many Lawrence Countians do to celebrate the day? For some, a small gift will serve as a token of their affection for that someone special.

"I got her a card and she's got me!" Bill Allen, of Ironton, said when he was asked what he would get his wife, Elaine, on this special day.

"My wife doesn't like flowers," he said. "She thinks that's

a waste of money."

Allen said he might take her to dinner. He and his wife have been married 35 years and have three children and five grandchildren. Asked what the secret is to staying married for 35 years, Allen answered promptly, "teach them how to put up with you."

For Fred Howell of Kitts Hill the secret to true love was not as evident.

"I don't know what the secret is," he laughed. Still, he has been married to his wife, Phyllis for, he thinks, 38 years.

They have two children and two grandchildren. Howell said he did not know what he would do to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Larry Farmer of Ironton said he would spent this day as he usually does: With his children, Erica, 16; Micheal, 15; and Derrick, 12. "We'll got to McDonalds. That's what the kids chose. …We usually go somewhere to eat."