Delving into the frenzy of Valentine's Day, the Los Gatos Weekly-Times decided to round up a handful of locals to talk about their own dating experiences and what they look for in a potential romantic partner. They admit looking for love can be a challenge, but these singles are still smiling and having fun while awaiting that someone special. After all, there are plenty of other things besides romantic relationships to celebrate during February, such as having a fantastic job, being surrounded by good friends and, more than anything else, appreciating yourself.

Rachel Bacola

Between her busy schedule of graduate studies at San José State University and interning with the Los Gatos Community Development Department, Rachel Bacola still finds time to pursue romance. "I'm a private romantic," she says. Bacola truly is, as she strongly believes in love at first sight and celebrating Valentine's Day.

This 23-year-old Virgo doesn't have a physical ideal for those she dates, just that they "take care of themselves." However, important characteristics include "being honest, having friendship, trust, and being fun and crazy." And don't worry, she returns the courtesy. "In a relationship, I would bring friendship, being real and being honest, and love," she says.

A fun-seeking gal with a well-tuned sense of humor, Bacola says she is "a little bit scared" of online dating, so she opts for meeting men in social places. Even the supermarket or library aren't out of the question. She says she isn't afraid of being forward, having once asked out a teaching assistant during her undergraduate years.

Whether for a first date or in a steady relationship, Bacola says an ideal time together would include having dinner and drinks, or a walk on a beach in Santa Cruz. "Somewhere romantic," she says.

Bacola says she would like to have kids in the future and hopes to 0 stay in the area if she can secure a local job after graduation.

Michael Boitz

Saratoga High School band and orchestra director Michael Boitz knows his music, but he also knows how to make the ladies laugh. A talented teacher with a snappy sense of humor, Boitz is a 30-year-old Virgo who believes in love at first sight and describes himself as an idealist and realist. "I'm a romantic when it comes to thinking about other people, but when it comes to me, I'm realistic and pretty harsh."

Boitz has worked at SHS for the past six years, devoting much of his time to his students, which is why he says patience is a required virtue in a potential partner.

"I spend about 70 hours a week at the high school with the kids. It's been a bone of contention with anyone I've dated. I'm very much in love with my job and profession," he says. Another thing to contend with is his random cravings. "I need someone who doesn't mind me craving buffalo wings at 2 a.m.," he laughs.

In his free time, Boitz likes to travel, go to baseball games—preferably the San Francisco Giants—and attend symphonies and jazz concerts. His ideal date would start with a Giants game and end with attending a symphony.

Although he describes his dating style as "old-fashioned," he does have a modern theory on Valentine's Day. "I think everybody should be single for that day. It should be a day off from commitment, giving all the single people another chance. It's worth a try."

Boitz says he doesn't have an ideal type and would bring "humor, fun and reliability" to a relationship. He is undecided about kids, but doesn't find the option very appealing at the moment. "I have 360 kids now. I have plenty," he laughs. "The closest thing I want to kids is a quiet goldfish."

Mollie Drake

As the admissions director for the Los Gatos Meadows, Mollie Drake doesn't really have the opportunity to meet people her age through work. But that doesn't stop this 40-something from being a fun-loving single with a secret romantic side.

Despite the fact that Drake thinks people should "absolutely" celebrate Valentine's Day, she says she wouldn't classify herself as a typical romantic. "I still have a romantic's thought process, though," she admits. Love at first sight is a no-go, but "obviously there is attraction at first sight," she says. "As a more mature person now, I think there are a lot of levels to it. I'm more open-minded, and who I'm attracted to now I wouldn't have been years ago."

Previously married, Drake does not have children but is open to dating someone with children. She is typically attracted to "tall, swarthy men," but says personality is more important in the long run. "I would like somebody who is direct, honest, loyal, trustworthy, and would like to be a partner." Although her friends have had success with online dating, it's still not for her. "With the amount of time I put into my job, I just don't have enough time for coffee dates," she professes.

An ideal mate may not be defined, but Drake does have an ideal date in mind—on a sailboat at sunset with a bottle of wine or champagne. In her free time, she isn't on sailboats much, but does hit up sporting events frequently, as well as concerts and hiking.

"I like anything to do with nature and being outdoors," she says. "Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies, and cooking. I enjoy food and wine, anything that involves all the senses."

Timothy Heinrich

A Saratoga resident and actor/model, Tim Heinrich is becoming a familiar face, thanks to winning the title of "America's Sexiest Man" as part of a contest on the soap opera All My Children. Although he has every right to brag, this 24-year-old is surprisingly modest about himself.

Heinrich, a Cancer, says he has been single "for a while," and is looking for someone who is not afraid to laugh at themselves and is down to earth. Physically, he just wants someone who "finds it as important as I do to take care of themselves. I believe that says quite a bit about someone's personality."

Describing himself as a nonromantic, Heinrich does not believe in celebrating Valentine's Day, because he thinks "showing affection for someone you care about should not just happen on certain days." He would like kids one day, and says an ideal date would be pretty simple. "I would want to go somewhere where I can talk to the person and get to know them. Anything that wouldn't include a movie, because I'd rather talk and get to know someone instead of sitting in the dark for two hours."

His rising celebrity has not fueled his search much. "I have more offers now, but it's not any different," he says. "You can date pretty much anyone, but the challenge is finding somebody who you really click with."

Heinrich has not tried online dating—"it feels like you're surrendering something," he says—but can be found spending his free time with friends at the Los Gatos Bar & Grill or Katie Bloom's in Campbell. "I'm not going to be the guy who gets you flowers every day or gives notes. It's not me. But you're always going to know that I care."

Kelly O'Neil

As a Los Gatos­based business coach, Kelly O'Neil knows people and how to communicate with them. A sociable Aries, she has been single for about a year and is ready to get back into the dating scene.

With her self-proclaimed "amazing zest for life, sense of humor, and fun," O'Neil knows how to live life to the fullest, and expects nothing less from her potential mate. "I love guys with a sense of humor, who are romantic, confident but not arrogant, and genuine. Someone who is not afraid to be themselves and is driven—I like men who are passionate," she says. Although she doesn't have a set physical ideal, she admits to being a "sucker for a medium, athletic built guy. I also like goatees. I have a thing for them, I don't know why."

Imbued with a refreshing sense of honesty, O'Neil believes in Valentine's Day and considers herself a romantic. She doesn't believe in love at first sight, but says she believes in "an amazing connection at first sight." When she isn't working, O'Neil spends time with her three dogs, as well wakeboarding or anything having to do with the outdoors.

Encouraged by friends, she has tried online dating but doesn't think it holds much potential for her. "I've gone on a lot of first dates through online, but not a lot of second dates," she says. "People aren't really honest [in their profiles], a lot of men try to pretend. I'm not trying to sell anyone. If they're interested, they're interested."

But when she does find that special someone, nothing would be more romantic than a languid dinner at La Fondue in Saratoga. "It's a fun, cool environment with good food and good wine," she says. "I like doing stuff in a relaxed environment."

Jason Perez

He's tall, strong and, according to co-workers, can cook a lean, mean chicken cordon bleu. So why is Saratoga firefighter Jason Perez still single?

"I'm still waiting for the right one to come along, not that I'm concentrating on finding a mate," says the 32-year-old bachelor. "But I'm keeping an open mind about it. You never know when or where you'll meet that special person."

When he's not battling flames or cruising through town in a fire engine, Perez, a Taurus, can be seen hanging loose on the beach, catching waves in the Santa Cruz waters. Surfing is just one of his areas of expertise. He's also an avid skier, a "passionate" golfer and an adept soccer player.

Although he claims he's not an expert, Perez says he knows a thing or two about being in love and how to woo a woman. A romantic, he says that love at first sight does exist in his eyes. However, his thoughts on an ideal date are that "There really is not such a thing as an ideal date because everybody is different. You just have to go with the flow."

Whether it be a walk on the beach, a hike in the mountains or a candlelight dinner, Perez says that he would try to make a date as "special and memorable as possible."

A risk taker, Perez admits that he's done some crazy things for love. He says that during his high school years, he once jumped into a moving car that was full of girls.

"That was a stupid thing to do," he reflects. "I wouldn't recommend it."

Perez says he's looking for a mate who is willing to try new things.

"It shows that she can be flexible," he says.

A linguist himself, he also says he would like a mate who can speak different languages and is self-reliant.

He adds that physical appearance is not a priority.

"I believe that there's goodness in everybody," he says.

My Ngo contributed to this story.