Valentine’s Day is approaching, and while we think that a bracelet is a lovely gift idea (cough, cough), we also understand that what most couples need is a little bit of time together. Between work, school, family, and household obligations, many people don’t feel it is possible to make the time to focus on one of the strongest and most valuable bonds in their life- their partner. And if time ever becomes available, money is often a scarce resource that prevents people from really being able to make their time together memorable or special in a unique way.
For some people, the reality of their relationship is that they and their partner are so busy that they are often unable to go do even the most mundane things together, such as grocery shopping or an appointment, let alone a special night out on the town. Many families on tight budgets consider their closest drive thru a special treat, never mind dinner out at a nice restaurant and a movie. It would be great to see someone in this position who could use some quality time with their partner be able to go out and enjoy themselves this Valentine’s Day, don’t you think?
Do you know a couple who would benefit from some quality time together? Is there a man or a woman in your life who you think would love to be able to take their partner out on a date but funding just won’t allow it? We’d love to help you help them this Valentine’s Day!
We are asking you to extend your time as an act of love to a special couple of your choice and nominate them to win a $100 MasterCard prepaid gift card to treat their special someone to a night out on the town.
What do you have to do to win? It’s simple!
-Tell us who you are nominating, and why they deserve to win!
If the couple you nominate wins, you have the option of including a special message for them, or you can ask us to send the gift anonymously (while stating its purpose, of course!) Let’s keep the love alive this year and help bring someone a little bit of love and togetherness!
This contest is open until Friday, January 27 at noon EST, so take your time to think, but don’t forget to come back!
Here’s an added bonus… If you want to send a little love our way, be sure to share our Facebook page with your friends and ask them to click like! You have one chance left to win a customized chainmaille charm bracelet with our fan count, and if you can show us the love in the form of a rising Frike number by February 14th, we may have a little something up our sleeves for you!
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The winning entry is:
Anonymous
I would love to nominate my friend Laura and her husband Zeppo (Zoe's mommy and daddy)!
They were married less than a year ago and have been facing this battle of a lifetime with their sweet baby girl in the hospital.
This weekend Laura and Zeppo ventured out to Laura's (and my) hometown. It was the very first time since december 26th that Laura has left the hospital.
I think a night out for a nice dinner would be so amazing for them, to be able to have time to be normal for just a little while.
-Mary Gauvin
Thank you everyone for your participation in the contest! It is always so touching to see how many people are willing to take the time to nominate loved ones. Keep an eye out for more, and remember, if you get us a total of 3,300 Frikes by Valentine's Day, we have something for you!
I would love to nominate my friend Laura and her husband Zeppo (Zoe's mommy and daddy)!
ReplyDeleteThey were married less than a year ago and have been facing this battle of a lifetime with their sweet baby girl in the hospital.
This weekend Laura and Zeppo ventured out to Laura's (and my) hometown. It was the very first time since december 26th that Laura has left the hospital.
I think a night out for a nice dinner would be so amazing for them, to be able to have time to be normal for just a little while.
-Mary Gauvin
I would like to nominate Kara and Kyle. I'm just really happy that Kyle has come as far as he has in the past year and I know he's working hard to provide for the family. They deserve a night out, preferably without (most of) the kiddos!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my cousin Beth and her husband Andy. For the past 6 months, my Aunt Kathy was living with them as she battled pancreatic cancer. She sadly lost her fight on New Year's Eve. Beth not only cared for her mother, but also her children Ella-7, Mason-5 and Max-2, as well as my Uncle Larry and Andy. Beth and Andy have had no time alone as a couple, and they truly deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI know life will never be the same for any of us, but most especially Beth. Beth and Kathy had the kind of mother/daughter relationship everyone was envious of. They were truly best friends. I would love to see my cousin have one night to spend with Andy as a couple with no interuptions. This has not only taken a toll on Beth, but has understandably stressed their marriage and I think this would help them in so many ways.
As always, you are an amazing woman Cathy, and I love your generosity. Jamie Armbruster
I would also like to nominate Kara and Kyle. Kara is an awesome mama to 4 beautiful girls and has the most giving heart. She deserves a night out on the town, and to not have to worry about finances. I hope this couple win!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate Janet and Steve. They are parents to two teen girls. They are saving up to put their oldest daughter (Elizabeth) through college, So they dont really ever spend money for 'dates'. They really deserve a date night :) I hope they win!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate Heidi Bernabucci and her Husband Matt. We just met this summer and have become fast friends. She is an amazing soul and does so much for others, whether behind the scenes, or on the front lines. Her husband and her rarely get to go out on dates and I would LOVE to see them enjoy some well deserved couple time! She is a huge part of the Dragonfly foundation and does a LOT of volunteer work for them, she brings my family food when Riley is sick and has chemo, she sends care packages to others, she donates to lots of causes, etc... She RARELY thinks of herself and she needs to! If she wins, I volunteer to watch her son Bobby <3
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my bff Anna Scretching and her boyfriend Jeffery Cole. I have known Anna for over 20 years and this is the first time I have seen her truly happy with who she is with. Also this past year Jeffery has lost his father, and aunt and shortly after that he was in a minor car accident. They are both teachers so don't' have much money for date nights. Anna has done so much for me over the years and I would love to be able to give this to her.
ReplyDeleteAlana L. Correale
I'd like to nominate a friend of mine Aly and her husband Chris. Chris fights wildfires all year long and is rarely available for dates. Aly is a SAHM to 2 boys, one with Asperger's Syndrome and one with verbal delays. She parents alone most of the time and it's really difficult. They live thousands of miles from nearest relatives in a small, rural area. It's tough on them, but especially on Aly. She's alone a lot and it wears on her emotional wellbeing.
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate Baby Pierce's parents. They have been through so much so early in his little life. I don't think they have even had a chance to enjoy each others company because they have been so involved with his care. I feel for his parent's and couldn't imagine the trials they have had to go through to get Baby Pierce this far! I think they should receive this gift hands down.... Even if they can't use it right on Valentines day, it would be nice for them to know that they can use it to enjoy each other and not worry about where the money will come from, especially since they have all those medical bills, travel expenses etc... from Pierce coming to Boston... I nominate them... to me I think they deserve this more than anyone in the world!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my son and his best fiend Sharon. They dated in high school but had to break up when he became 18 because she was too young (damn laws). They have continued to hang out as friends every weekend since. Two years and they are still waiting! Neither will date another! They have one more year to go! Do I think they will wait it out at their ages? YES I DO! They are living out an old fashioned relationship of waiting for the one you love! We never have money for extras for him do something special for her. Any money he gets he puts to my house bills since I live off disability and he is in a schooling program and he cant work yet. Lets reward them and show that we support the determination they have to wait for true love! They both have Feb birthdays as well. I know they are young but they are so wonderful to one another! Best friends holding onto their dream of forever! I believe in them!
ReplyDeleteLisa v.
I actually know someone who could use that!!! :D And yes, my husband and I rarely get to go out of ever.... BUT we have a (young) couple, Amanda and Sean Jolivete, at our church with a baby due February 17th (ours is due March 17th... playdate time. lol) That would be a perfect "baby/Valentines" gift for them... This is their first child and I know first hand how hard it is to make time for date nights. Even though the church stresses the importance of it, still difficult!
ReplyDeleteI love reading all of these nominations! So many people thinking of others! love it!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my friend Aracely and her husband Sergio. Aracely is an amazing woman who is always very giving. She helps out every one in need regardless of her own circumstances.
ReplyDeleteAracely and her husband have two children of their own with another on the way in four weeks. But they have two other children they have adopted. The girl they adopted has autism and takes up much of their time. But you never hear Aracely complain. In fact she rejoices that she has been blessed to take on such an amazing responsibility. I really hope they can get out before the baby arrives and this would help them be able to do that.
Thank you!
I would like to nominate Lisa!!! You know she rocks just as much as I know she does, I see all the time on her facebook page how she needs a winter coat and can't afford one! Lets give her a valentines gift of a winter coat and the Breakfast at McDonalds she has been craving. Lisa always puts a smile on my face from down 495 and I would Love to put a smile on her face in her mailbox!!!! She is so thoughtful and kind she really deserves this for herself!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my friends Christie and Joey. They have 3 beautiful children, Max-1, Madelynn-3, and Austin-4. Austin has severe Autism and is non-verbal. Joey works 60+ hours a week so Christie can stay at home to care for the kids. They are barely scraping by with the bills, let alone having a night out. The last time they went out I believe was December of 2010 before the youngest one came along. She is such a great mom too with an amazing amount of patience. And despite her situation, she is always helping someone else.
ReplyDeleteWith the stress of being financially strapped all the time, plus having 3 young kids, plus one being special needs, plus never getting to see each other and getting "grown up" time...I'm surprised they haven't gone crazy yet. I would've a long time ago lol.
I have a couple here in my hometon that are alwasy doing for others... They are Rick and Nancy Beatty and Rick started a local charity about 5 years ago called The Hope Center and it just started with a donation from someone local and all volunteers but his gift for giving and finding those in need is alot like yours... The Hope center does lots ...houses the local food share ...provides used furniture for those in need... and helps with bills when others ar in trouble ..They helped my family when injury and busines loss hit us and paid $1000 of our bills,,, Rick will take time off work to go help someone and when he filled in as pastor at our church < even though he was working full time and spending hours each week to ork on his message he gave his pay every week to someone he knoew needed it.. He also like you Takes no credit for anything as he believes it is the work of everyone and he is correct in some ays but he brings a sort of magic to people and brings out the best in them to help make this town and our lives better.... I know they once did a soup and bake sale for a family who had lost their mom before last christmas and raised $7000 for that fmaily ...selling soup and cupcakes... He has inspired me and Rick and Nancy are sooo selfless I would love them to get thos surprise in the mail!!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate Julie and Gunther.
ReplyDeleteI was struggling to even put food in my kids mouths after my husband walked out and left us without income and refused to pay child support for our 6 kids at home. I was so broke that I had 2 kids who needed shoes and I was using super glue on the soles to hold them together. It was a very rough road and Christmas was approaching. I had nothing to give, that is until I got a note from an angel saying she wanted to send money for Christmas gifts for my children. She knew how much we were struggling. I was floored. I mean we have only known each other from the internet, yet she wanted to reach out and help out of the goodness of her heart. What a big heart she has, so generous, loving and a special angel. My children never knew how much we were struggling because they did have a nice Christmas.
I would love to be able to give back, to give her something special for what she did for my family. Thank you just never seemed enough. I would love for them to win this so they can have a special treat.
I would like to nominate Ashley Graybill AKA Artisticat and her hubby . She is a new found friend of mine and could use a special gift right about now.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to nominate Cyndee and her husband Tom! Cyndee is a great mom, to three amazing kidos. She works long hours opposite of Tom, so that someone is always home with the kids. They don't get any "date" nights.
ReplyDeleteBest of Luck to all the nominees!!
I nominate Susie and her husband Doa. Susie is a stay at home mom that does alot with her kids for soccer. she never has much time to herself let alone with her husband who works different hours all of the tiem.
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my best friend Edie and her husband Keith. They are the proud parents of 6 AMAZING kiddos. At the moment they are also helping to raise Keith's cousins children. They never have time to do anything because they have to work different shifts in order to keep from paying a babysitter. In 14 years of friendship she has very rarely complained about the lack of time they get to spend together. If they win this, I will donate a night to be a babysitter if they need me too. It has been hard on them trying to help raise the other 2 children, so I would like to see them go out for a night to be able to reconnect with each other.
ReplyDelete