CONTEST: Cutest Couple in Mountain View?

Update: We really got into the spirit of Valentine's Day and decided to give a little love to our readers! Introducing the Cutest Couple Contest!

With Valentine's Day just a day away, Patch wanted to highlight the love that's in the air in Mountain View!

Take for example, Essie and Josh Curnell (pictured), who've been married 61 years. Essie, 83, and Josh, 85, met as kids in the town of Calvert, Texas where they both lived. Essie's father was the town preacher and also a carpenter, and Josh took his woodworking class.

While Josh was deployed with the U.S. Army between 1942 to 1944 during World War II, Essie attended Praire View A&M and majored in Home Economics. When he returned they began to date and according to Essie, the two always had a chaperone–usually her young sister–which made it hard to sneak a kiss!

Eventually they married and had three children, one whom they live with in Sunnyvale. Three times a week, the couple visits the  and participate in different activities including a , which Essie hopes will them fight dementia.

Why they love one another?

Josh told Patch that he loves Essie because she's kind, gentle, understanding and appreciative.

Essie said it's because "he loves me and he always made me feel great." She added that Josh is "very understanding, he doesn't get angry and he always has a smile."

Why do you love the person you are with?

Whether you've been dating for a month, a year or 61 years like Essie and Josh, there's a reason you love this person.

How to Enter

Enter by submiting a photo of you and your loved one and in the caption let us know why you love one another. Don't forget to include your names!

How to Vote

Cast your vote by commenting in the comments section below. Be sure to include which couple you're voting for! Each person may only vote once. (See below for rules.) The Contest will begin at 5.30 a.m. ET on 2/14/2012 and end at 12:00 a.m. ET on 2/20/2012 (the “Entry Period”).

Voting Deadline

The Public Voting Period will be ongoing and will begin at 5.30 a.m. ET on 2/14/2012 and end at 12:00 a.m. ET on 2/21/2012.

We need at least two entries to award the prize, so help us spread the word by posting this on your Facebook or Twitter accounts. The voting will be done in the comments section of this article. One vote per user, please.