SOAP OPERA DIGEST
February 11, 2003

Best Valentine's Day:
"The first Valentine's Day [husband] Dave and I had together. It was so romantic because we'd just started dating. He planned this whole evening where we went to a musical, which I love. It's not his favorite, so it meant a lot to me that he went with me. Then we had a very romantic dinner in downtown L.A., right near the theater, in this famous restaurant that looks out over the entire city. It was very special."

Worst Valentine's Day:
"I had one boyfriend who had planned to take me to a restaurant for dinner and didn't know it would be busy that night. So, we get there, and it's totally booked up. We had the biggest fight because he had not planned at all and didn't have a backup plan. We had a disagreement on the street. I was like, 'Let's go Jack In The Box because I'm hungry.'"

Did you have memorable ones as a kid?
"I loved the arts and crafts part of giving cards to everyone in your class. But I was not the most popular girl in school, so I was not the receiver of any Valentine's wishes that weren't forced."

DO women put more stake in Valentine's Day than men?
"Defintely. It's almost like saying you should have the spirit of Christmas throughout the year. You should have the spirit of Valentine's Day with your significant other throughout the year, too. My husband and I celebrate Valentine's Day as often as we can."

Is Valentine's Day important now that you're married?
"I think it's more important now that I'm married because it's less about trying to impress the other person and more about taking the time to have a special date with your husband. It's a lovely reminder of what romance is all about and what your love is all about. It's a day for excess and totally spoiling the other person, and it's the perfect excuse to be all cuddly and romantic."

For Valentine's Day...
Get Her:
"Beautiful flowers. And send them to work. I don't know any woman who wouldn't want to get them at work in front of all her friends."

Don't Get Her:
"Something she wouldn't wear. if the girl is totally into Victoria's Secret, that's awesome, but I wouldn't force it on her."

Chocolate Choice:
Ghirardellie milk chocolate

Floral Arrangement:
"A simple orchid that will live for a long time and that you will hope to still have in six months."