Ms. Valentine turns Mrs. on Valentine’s, one 43 couples to do so on special day

2/18/2013
BY MARK REITER
BLADE STAFF WRITER
  • Valentine-s-Wedding-Larry-Brown

    Larry Brown places a ring on the finger of his new bride, Floradeen Jackson Williams Brown, at the Lucas County Courthouse, on Valentine’s Day. The couple is from Southfield, Mich.

    THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY
    Buy This Image

    • Larry Brown places a ring on the finger of his new bride, Floradeen Jackson Williams Brown, at the Lucas County Courthouse, on Valentine’s Day. The couple is from Southfield, Mich.
    Larry Brown places a ring on the finger of his new bride, Floradeen Jackson Williams Brown, at the Lucas County Courthouse, on Valentine’s Day. The couple is from Southfield, Mich.

    Mary Ann Davis turned in her Valentine to be forever with the love her life.

    Robert Davis and Mary Ann Valentine Davis, wed by the Rev. Sandra Frost at the courthouse, are among 43 couples who applied for marriage licenses there on Valentine’s Day. The Davises are from Taylor, Mich.
    Robert Davis and Mary Ann Valentine Davis, wed by the Rev. Sandra Frost at the courthouse, are among 43 couples who applied for marriage licenses there on Valentine’s Day. The Davises are from Taylor, Mich.

    Robert Davis and his new bride, the former Mary Ann Valentine, decided early Thursday morning that they should begin their life together on Valentine’s Day.

    The couple drove from Taylor, Mich., to the Lucas County Courthouse, where they obtained a license and were married by a minister.

    “We have been best friends for 2½ years. I have known for a long time that I love him,” the new Mrs. Davis said. “He just figured out last week or so that he loved me.”

    “This was the best day of my life. I gave her my valentine. I gave her me. I gave her my heart,” Mr. Davis said of the impromptu wedding.

    PHOTO GALLERY: Area valentines wed on Valentine's Day

    In all, 43 couples applied for marriage licenses at the courthouse, a popular Valentine’s Day destination for couples desiring to tie the knot. Unlike the Davises’ home state of Michigan, which requires a waiting period, Ohio permits same-day weddings.

    Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger said the number of licenses issued by clerks was down from previous Valentine’s Days and last year’s 12-12-12, when more than 60 couples registered. “It was steady, but not overwhelming,” Judge Puffenberger said. “We did not have any lines and we moved everybody right through.”

    Gregory Schaffer, 45, proposed in December to Tracy Akers, 45, but skipped the triple-12 configuration, opting instead for an anniversary that is equally easy to remember.

    “Neither of us will ever forget the anniversary,” the new Mrs. Schaffer said.

    The Schaffers of Toledo have known each other since they were 10 years old. It is the first marriage for both.