by Laura Emery, Field Editor

Audrey Hepburn�s characters romanticized it. Shakespeare�s sonnets immortalized it. Margaret Mitchell wrote about it. Frank Sinatra crooned many a song about it. At the very core of the human existence lies the ever-poignant, oftentimes confusing, emotion that we call love.

It is found around every corner, on every street � in the gentle touch of the couple holding hands on a bench, in the nervous chatter between a young girl and boy, in the way a normally stern-looking countenance can become a glow at the mere sight of a newfound love, and in the way the couple walking in front of you laugh and giggle with each other, clinging arm in arm.

This irrepressible emotion is never more apparent than on February 14th. Valentine�s Day is synonymous with love, with sinfully delectable chocolates, with rose bouquets, with romantic candlelight dinners. It�s the perfect time to show your loved one just how much he or she means to you. Perhaps you never considered turning to your computer for advice on romantic gestures, but ideas to strengthen or develop your love can be found with just a few clicks of the mouse. Following are some interesting Web sites devoted to love, dating, and romance.

At 123Holiday.Net (http://valentines-day.123holiday.net/love_quotes.html), you can find everything from the history of Valentine�s Day to Valentine�s Day jokes.

A good love poem can sometimes serve as a pick-me-up or even as an inspiration. LovePoetry.Com is loaded with poems, including the �classics,� that will help you get in touch with your inner emotions on loving and being loved. You can even submit your own poetry that can be read by others who may be in your same situation or feeling the same emotions.

Valentine Central (http://rats2u.com/valentine/valentine_index.htm) is directly focused on the holiday. Here visitors will find Valentine recipes, animated images, computer screensavers, the history of the holiday, tips on how to write the perfect love letter, as well as activities and crafts for the little ones. Did you know that the pagan goddess Juno � St. Valentinus � had been martyred on February 14?

They say that the way to a man�s heart is through his stomach. A variety of perfect Valentine�s Day recipes can be found at Angie�s Holiday Favorites (www.angiesrealm.com/valentines_day/recipes). Assorted recipes can be found in the following categories: romantic Valentine�s Day appetizers, breakfasts, Valentine�s Day desserts, ideas for romantic dinners, Valentine�s Day cake recipes, candies, Valentine�s cookie recipes and Valentine�s Day pie recipes. How about a delectable red velvet chocolate cake or some meringue Valentine�s Day kisses to make the day sweeter?

Perhaps you�ve been married for years, and you have children and grandchildren. It�s still important to maintain the romance in your relationship and RomanceTips.Com (www.romancetips.com/tips) is geared towards helping you do just that. This Web site isn�t just for married couples � singles, dating, engaged, married, married with kids � it�s got everyone covered. Having small children doesn�t mean you can�t make time for one another. This site offers creative ways to make time to spend with your significant other with dates that are fun and inexpensive, and don�t always require a babysitter. You can also find interesting and informative articles on a wide variety of topics.