Valentine's Day: Your stories

This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating love in the RAF. Whether you are an RAF veteran or widow who has lost a partner, a couple who found romance at an RAF station, or perhaps you are spending Valentine's Day apart while your loved one is on deployment; Valentine's Day can both be a day of celebration, but also an emotional and challenging time. We spoke to members of the RAF community who provided a glimpse into how they are spending their time this year…

"I met my partner 4 years ago and unfortunately got the keys to our first home the day he got deployed, it's been a weird 4 months and our first Valentines that should have been at together in our first home, instead we're going to be ordering take out from our respective countries, pre downloading a movie the night before and facetiming to our takeaway and movie this year. Its different Valentines date but I love it all the same!" – Hannah

"My husband is currently deployed and has been since before Christmas. This year feels different because I'm pregnant with our first child and my 20-week scan is the week of Valentines and he will be missing it. It's felt like a longer and harder deployment knowing he's missing so much of the pregnancy. He will be back end of March so will be able to support me then but it's still hard. He very sweetly sent me a moose (I'm from Canada) with a shirt that says I miss you and a card. Really nice of him and means a lot." – Katherine 

"My wife and I are spending our 35th Valentine's Day together – although over the years we haven't physically been together due to being on deployment, I'm looking forward to celebrating in person this year now I am retired. We're going to have a romantic meal at home before watching a film together on the sofa." – James