Forget the flowers: Celebrating love in nontraditional ways
Love is in the air, and it’s available for a limited time at your local Arby’s.
At least that’s the case for Amy and Christopher Rodwell, who will celebrate this Valentine’s Day with dinner at Arby’s, a tradition they’ve carried out for 21 years.
The couple now resides in Rochester, N.Y., but their love story began in Pennsylvania. Amy was born and raised in Houston, Pa. Christopher came to the area from Rochester to work on a construction project in Upper St. Clair.
At the time, Amy worked as a waitress at the King’s Family Restaurant next door to his crew’s hotel.
“They came in several nights a week,” Amy recalled. “I dropped my food on him, in his lap. I became their regular waitress. After a few months, we went on a date, and that’s it for us.”
When their first Valentine’s Day came around, they both had to work.
“We realized by the time we got cleaned up, there was just no chance of getting anywhere for Valentine’s Day,” Amy said.
With few options, the two drove around Bridgeville and ended up where they “have the meats”: Arby’s.
Amy ordered the French Dip, and Christopher, a plain roast beef sandwich. Of course, one time does not make a tradition. The next year, they decided, “Let’s do this every year.”
“Me and my husband are rather silly people, anyhow. We goof around, we like to have fun. We tell inappropriate jokes. We’re those kind of people,” Amy said.
The couple’s 14-year-old daughter Addison now joins them on their annual trip to Arby’s. While Addison is a big fan of their food, Amy confesses the fast-food restaurant isn’t her favorite.
“I only eat there when I absolutely have to,” Amy said. “And Valentine’s Day.”
Dinner, however, is only part of the traditional Valentine’s Day fare. While many appreciate flowers, that’s not the case at the home of Amanda and Adam Wise.
The Amwell Township couple met online in March 2018 and went on their first date to Applebee’s.
“The first couple holidays he bought me flowers. I said, ‘Just so you know, I’m really into plants,'” Amanda said. “The next year he brought me a hydrangea plant to Applebee’s, on our second first date.”
Since then, Adam always gifts Amanda a plant rather than flowers. Amanda, who estimates she has between 45 and 50 plants, does not enjoy flowers because despite their beauty, they are not long for this world.
“I feel so differently around plants. I am obsessed with fixing them and helping them grow. I breathe easier. They make me better. It’s not killing something. It’s inspiring to start them as seeds and see them grow bigger and bigger,” Amanda said.
Other than with plants, the couple also plans to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House in Belle Vernon, a favorite spot for them.
“Just buy me a plant and take me to Hoss’s,” Amanda said. “I don’t need anything expensive.”
For Amanda, a plant is a symbol of love that can live for decades with the proper care.
“We’ve only been together four years. I wouldn’t want to change it all. He treats me very well. I appreciate that he associates buying plants with our marriage,” Amanda said. “It makes me very proud to be with him. I have something I can show for a long time.”