Survey Finds Singles Aren't Dreading Valentine's Day

According to a survey conducted by OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN), many singles (42%) across the country are looking forward to dining out in celebration of Valentine's Day this year.

"Contrary to popular belief and defying misconceptions about their Valentine's Day habits, singles are getting comfortable with dining out on Valentine's Day regardless of relationship status," said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer at OpenTable.

The survey also revealed that almost half of the singles (46%) who plan to dine out for Valentine's Day plan to share their experiences on social media with one in five (21%) planning to share dish photos.

Singles may help restaurants fill their larger tables on Valentine's Day this year as one in three singles (35%) plan to dine with multiple platonic friends or family members.

More than half (59%) of the singles surveyed are fine with couples' PDA at the table, saying it is okay to feed your date a bite of food, à la Lady and the Tramp. However, singles are less enthusiastic about the concept of Valentine's Day marriage proposals with one in three (36%) indicating that any day of the year would be better, whereas only one in four (25%) of married respondents shared this sentiment.

For diners still searching for the right restaurant, OpenTable recently released its list of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2016. OpenTable also released a list of the Most Romantic Cities in America for 2016. Diners can also find more tips and trends regarding Valentine's Day on the OpenTable Blog as well as details about our #savorthelove Valentine's Daygiveaway.

Candy continues to be an important part of Valentine's Day traditions

Sharing a sweet treat with a friend or loved one is the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day, according to a recent national survey by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Some 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive a gift of candy or chocolate this Valentine's Day.

On February 14, 70 percent of Americans will give chocolate or candy to one to three friends or family members. And those sharing a sweet treat are embracing moderation as it relates to enjoying chocolate, candy, gum and mints, according to NCA's survey. More than 80 percent of percent of Americans believe that candy is treat, and its one that makes holidays even more special. Most people in the U.S. enjoy candy about twice per week, averaging less than 50 calories per day from confectionery items.

NCA projects that retail sales of Valentine's Day candy in 2016 will be $1.1 billion (up 1.6 percent from 2015), a boost to the U.S. economy that helps support 55,000 manufacturing jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs in related industries.

"People understand that candy is a transparent and fun treat, and they are choosing to enjoy it in moderation this Valentine's Day and all year long," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "Chocolate and other sweets have long been associated with celebrations. Even a small taste of your favorite candy can transport you to another place, and conjure up happy memories. Because of this, candy plays a wonderful and unique role in a happy, balanced life."

According to NCA's research, 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive candy or chocolate for Valentine's Day this year, compared to 89 percent who would like to receive a card and 87 percent who would like to receive a handmade gift. Perhaps indicating that Americans are still focused on affordable luxuries, 71 percent said they would like to receive flowers and only 67 percent would like jewelry.

Not having a special someone to celebrate with on February 14 will not stop Americans from enjoying the day. 43 percent of Americans say they will buy their own box of chocolate this year, and nearly half of all consumers say they plan to bake or decorate with chocolate or candy for Valentine's Day. Women (47 percent) are more likely than men (42 percent) to treat themselves, and millennials under age 30 (55 percent) are the most likely of any age group to shop for themselves.

Regardless of whether the chocolate was purchased as a gift, chocolate lovers can rejoice in this fact: scientific evidence indicates that the nutrients in cocoa and chocolate may be associated with heart health. These effects have been attributed to flavanols, which are natural compounds that occur in a wide range of fruits and vegetables and have been extensively studied in cocoa. Over the past decade, studies examining the eating patterns of adults and their overall health over the course of several years suggest that those who regularly included cocoa products and chocolate in their diets maintained better cardiovascular health. Other studies have shown that chocolate and cocoa are associated with improved well-being and happiness.

That's no surprise to the 55,000 people in the United States directed employed by the manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints. More than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood, as well. For every job that is created by the confectionery industry, seven more are supported in related industries, which means that candy drives a multiplier effect of 1:7 or an impact of 700 percent. The industry is comprised of hundreds of small and medium-size, family-owned businesses as well as the multi-national companies with global brands that operate more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states.

For more sweet information on the companies that make chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and how these treats fit into family and holiday traditions, visit CandyUSA.com and follow NCA on Twitter (@CandyUSA), Instagram (@CandyUSA), Snapchat (CandyNCA), and Facebook (NationalConfectionersAssociation).

Looking for a Recipe for Love this Valentine's Day? Coast Packing Company Suggests Starting with These

If, as Ted Kooser, former poet laureate of the United States, has said, "Valentine's Day is the poet's holiday," it's also a day for all things delicious, especially if they're made with love, lard and/or beef tallow – so advises Coast Packing Company, a leading supplier of animal fat shortenings throughout the Western U.S.

"Restaurants are certainly a natural place to mark Valentine's Day, but this year, consider preparing something special for your partner, in your own kitchen," said Eric Gustafson, CEO of the 93-year-old company.  "We believe in natural, minimally processed food, and there's nothing quite like baking up a batch of cookies for that someone in your life.  Consumers are wise to avoid industrially-produced partially hydrogenated fats in favor of animal fat shortenings, which have the benefit of being consistently delicious and, in moderation, promoting health."    

With appreciation to http://theculinarycouple.com, http://blog.ideasinfood.com and http://www.cooks.com/, Coast sends Valentine's Day best wishes to all.  The recipes follow:

Sugar Cookies for Your Sweetie on Valentine's Day http://theculinarycouple.com/2010/12/21/sugar-cookies-2/

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.Ingredients for cookies

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup lard
• 4 cups Wondra flour plus more for rolling (Wondra flour is finely ground and produces a lighter cookie; you may substitute cake flour)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cap full of vanilla
• Sugar for sprinkling

Ingredients for icing

• 3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 2 Tbsp coffee (to cut the sweetness)
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Knead together sugar, lard, flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Make a hole in the center of the dough, and pour eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla into it. Stir to combine.
3. Chill dough overnight.
4. Flour a work surface, your hands, and a rolling pin with Wondra flour. Roll dough until it's about 1/4-inch thick.
5. Use heart shaped cookie cutters for Valentine's Day, then place dough onto a baking sheet (preferably a baking stone). Sprinkle some with sugar, and leave others for icing.
6. Bake at 400°F for about 8 minutes.
7. Beat together ingredients for icing and add pink/red food coloring, if you like. Spread onto cookies, or use a piping bag to decorate them with sprinkles or chocolate bits.
8. Store cookies in an airtight container.

The Ultimate French Fries There's nothing more shareable than a fresh batch of fries.  The ultimate French fry, below, is fried in beef fat -- twice!http://blog.ideasinfood.com/ideas_in_food/2008/07/smoked-tallow.html

1. Choose an Idaho Russet potato. Russet Burbank variety if you can get them.
2. Condition the potato by storing in a 70 degree environment for a couple of weeks (potatoes coming out of cold storage need time to convert sugars back to starch).
3. Cut the potatoes into the desired fry size, similar to the fast food places you prefer.
4. Soak the cut potato strips in room temperature water for at least 8 hours, overnight is good (this soaking plumps up the cells within the potatoes to result in an improved texture). Do not use ice water or refrigerate! The starch will convert back to sugars causing the finished fries to take on a darkened exterior color.
5. Dry the potato strips and fry in 300 degree oil until just cooked inside and limp, fry time is dependent on the thickness of the fry strip. Bite a piece off and taste, if the raw potato taste is absent it's done inside. Let cool.
6. Bring oil to 375 degrees and fry until golden brown and crispy.
7. Of course, fry in beef fat (tallow), properly twice fried fries will not soak up much fat. What's the point of endeavoring to produce the very best french fry and then compromising the taste with a neutral tasting fry oil.
8. Important, work in controlled sized batches that doesn't drop the frying temperature significantly.  Maintain the fry temp or the fries will absorb fat.

Yellow Lard CakeBasic and sinfully delicious.
http://www.cooks.com/recipe/vc0xs4z3/yellow-lard-cake.html

• 1 1/4 c. lard
• 2 1/2 c. milk
• 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 5 1/2 c. sifted cake flour
• 2 1/2 tbsp. baking powder
• 3 1/8 c. sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp. salt
• 5 eggs, unbeaten

Put lard in mixing bowl; add 5 tablespoon milk and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes on mixer at medium speed, or until light and fluffy.  Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add to lard mixture with 2/3 of remaining milk.  Beat until smooth with mixer at medium speed, about 4 minutes. Add remaining milk and eggs. Beat until smooth, 3 minutes. Pour in greased and floured 12 1/2 x 18 inch pan.  Bake at 350 degrees 35 to 40 minutes. Makes 54 (2 inch) squares. Cool and frost.

Survey Finds 30% of Partnered Americans Do Not Make Valentine's Day Plans in Advance of February 14

etailMeNot (www.retailmenot.com), a leading digital offers destination that helps consumers save money, recently conducted a survey with Kelton Global that found 3 in 10 people in relationships wait until the last minute to make Valentine's Day arrangements. These survey findings align with internal data from RetailMeNot showing that online searches for chocolates, jewelry and flowers spike on the day before and day of the holiday. Luckily, for the majority of couples, the day of love and romance isn't an afterthought. On average, partnered Americans start thinking about plans 11 days in advance of the holiday.

"According to the survey, 80% of partnered Americans expect to receive something from their significant other to celebrate the occasion, so partners would do well to start shopping early!" says Sara Skirboll, shopping expert for RetailMeNot.

 
 
 

RetailMeNot Presents: The Cost of Love

Great Expectations

Coupled individuals who plan to spend money on Valentine's Day will spend an average of $93 dollars on gifts. Men expect to outspend women, shelling out $113 versus $70 on gifts. Among partnered Americans who expect something for Valentine's Day, these are the most wanted gifts:

• Dinner, please: 52% of people expect a meal
• Sexual healing: 51% foresee sex in their February 14 future
• A Hallmark holiday: 44% expect a physical card
• How sweet: 36% expect candy or chocolate
• Love in bloom: 34% expect flowers
• Bling, bling: 17% expect jewelry
• Digital devotion: 17% expect a text message

Last-Minute Love

Shoppers should plan ahead, because RetailMeNot found the best time to buy some Valentine's Day gifts are sooner rather than later:

• Flowers shouldn't be last minute: Plan to purchase flowers online during the first two weeks of February as retailers like 1-800 Flowers and FTD.com offer the highest percent off during those weeks.
• Buy chocolates strategically: The second week of February is one of the best times to purchase luxury chocolate from Godiva since the brand offers rare percentage-off discounts during this time period.
• Lingerie: RetailMeNot 2015 data shows that lingerie is discounted as deep as 43% off 10 days before Valentine's Day.

To browse discounted gifts and offers, visit the RetailMeNot Valentine's Day page: www.retailmenot.com/deals/valentinesday

The Cost of Love: Not All Relationships Are Created Equally

RetailMeNot held up a magnifying glass to the true cost of romance to see how much people are willing to spend on first dates,Valentine's Day gifts and that swipe right on Tinder.

If you're gearing up for a first date, be aware that only 16% of people believe that the bill should be spilt evenly on the first date. Nearly half (49%) of survey respondents think men should pay, and men don't disagree. In fact, more men than women believe they should foot the bill on a first date (59% versus 38%). A third of people (33%) think whoever initiated the date should cover the cost.

Additionally, how and where people originally met affects how much they are willing to spend on a date. When it comes to relationships spawned via an app or dating site, people tend to cheap out on the first date. Dates initiated offline lead to more money spent. The average amount consumers would be willing to spend on a first date based on how they met the person is as follows:

• Mobile-dating app (e.g. Tinder or Bumble): $19.20
• App that links you up with mutual friends (e.g. Hinge): $23
• Online dating site (e.g. Match.com): $24.30
• In a social setting (e.g. bar): $35.20
• Through work, among those employed: $44.40
• Through mutual friends or relatives: $46.10

While the cost of dating seems high, the cost of commitment is even higher. According to the survey, more than a third of people (36%) think marriage is the most expensive stage of a relationship. It may pay to fly solo, as only 9% said being single is the most costly state of being.

No matter your relationship status, there's still cause to celebrate. In fact, according to a 2015 RetailMeNot survey nearly one in four (24%) people celebrate Valentine's Day regardless of whether they are in a relationship.

Who needs chocolates and flowers this Valentine's Day? For romantics looking for big laughs, online novelty superstore Stupid.com complied a list of the 10 Most Stupid Valentine's Day Gifts of 2016.

Here are the 10 Most Stupid Valentine's Day Gifts from Stupid.com:

Dirty Valentine HeartsRomantic phrases like 'Cute Butt,' 'Bend Over,' and 'Do Me' put a risqué spin on this traditional candy conversational treat.

Bacon Massage OilLet the smoky aroma of bacon fill the air with this bottle of silky oil that stinks of a meat lover's paradise.

Weener Kleener SoapKeep any man's downstairs junk clean with this tiny ring shaped soap with a hole in it, that conveniently washes where the sun does not shine.

Gummy HeartGiving someone your heart has never tasted so chewy, with this lifelike mold of a human heart made of pure edible gummy goodness.

Small Pecker CondomsWant to make that ex-boyfriend squirm? These tiny condoms are the perfect prank for getting a big laugh from that tiny manhood.

Understand Men Breath SprayMen – who gets them? After a few sprays from this tiny bottle of instant-guy knowledge, anyone can be an expert.

His & Hers Bottle OpenerShaped like a woman with a nice rack, and a man with some large junk, these openers are great for cracking a romantic brew.

Wash Away Your Sins SoapThis liquid soap promises to wash away that morning guilt after any sinful Valentine's Day roll in the hay.

Tipsy Wine GlassesA two glass set feature a twisted, curing stem, making them the perfect explanation for why any drinker is so tipsy!

Sex Smarts GamePut your partner's sexual IQ to the test, and see if they're worth putting a ring on it with this colorful 1000-question card game.

The Mixology Of Valentine's Day: New Survey Reveals The Spirited Chemistry Of Love

Valentine's Day is only a few heartbeats away, so whether you're frantically swiping right or have a lifelong Valentine, you no doubt have love on the mind. But, if you're like nearly half of millennials, you'll be skipping the reservations and staying in this Valentine's Day, according to a survey* commissioned by Southern Comfort 100 Proof®. So, before you splurge on that expensive bottle of wine or bouquet of roses, check out a few spirited stats about the dating and drinking preferences of millennials.

More millennials will stay in and cook rather than dine out on Valentine's Day.Let's face it…dining out isn't cheap! Perhaps that's why 44 percent of millennials surveyed plan to cook dinner at home on Valentine's Day. And while you're likely to focus your efforts on finding the perfect filet mignon recipe, don't forget how good that steak can taste with a classic crafted cocktail such as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

Don't be THAT guy. Be THE guy. Looking to take your mixology game to the next level? Well, now you have a reason to put that cocktail shaker to good use. Ninety-three percent of respondents say they are impressed by people who know how to make a good cocktail, which means there's a 93 percent chance that, if you know how to work that shaker, your recipe will be a hit with your Valentine's Day date. Take the odds!

Do you know how to make a really, really, really good cocktail? Pop quiz: what ingredients are required to make an Old Fashioned? If you can't answer that, then you might want to hold off on switching to a career in mixology. That's a shame, because nearly three‑quarters of survey respondents (70 percent) say they would date a mixologist. Talk about game.

It's not me, it's you! Whiskey can be intimidating. While it has become increasingly popular in recent years, it may be surprising that whiskey can be intimidating to some, much like a first date. In fact, nearly 10 percent of survey respondents say they are downright intimidated by the spirit, with women being five times more intimidated than men. Maybe it's high time you opted for a whiskey-inspired spirit with a little more experience under its belt – and a lot less bite. A spirit that has been around for more than 140 years. Something with a sophisticated profile featuring flavors of whiskey, fruit and spices that works perfectly as a base in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned – and ISN'T complicated!

Not to mention, 28 percent of millennials said they wish they knew how to make a classic Manhattan or Old Fashioned. So, what are you waiting for? Swipe right with #SoCo100, and toast to Valentine's Day with these charming recipes!

Comfort Old Fashioned1 ½ oz Southern Comfort 100 Proof
½ oz Sparkling Water
1 tsp Sugar
Dash of Bitters

Add bitters, sugar and water in a short glass. Add Southern Comfort 100 Proof and ice cubes. Garnish with lemon twist.

Southern Manhattan®2 oz Southern Comfort 100 Proof
¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
Dash of Bitters

Combine ingredients with ice in a shaker; shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Valentine's Spending Comes Up Roses: 24 Stats and Facts

Americans shelled out nearly $19 billion in 2015. "TraditionalValentine's Day gifts are always the lead for widespread retail sales this time of year," stated Brent Shelton, FatWallet online shopping expert. "More recently though, we're seeing a big marketing push for smart tech as Valentine's gifts, especially wearables, which should increase spending in excess of $20 billion in 2016."

24 Fun Facts for Valentine's Day Spending (see full infographic):

1. Half of Americans will buy candy to the tune of $1.7 million
2. More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold
3. 48% of women expect to receive chocolates as a Valentine's gift
4. Valentine's Day ranks #1 for fresh flower purchases in the US
5. 20% of all flower transactions happen during Valentine's
6. 1 in 4 Valentine's shoppers will buy flowers, half are bought for spouses
7. 250 million roses get produced for Valentine's Day
8. 40% of Valentine's flower purchases are red roses
9. Half buy greeting cards to the tune of more than 180 million
10. Valentine's ranks a far second to Christmas card sales (1.5 billion)
11. 85% of Valentine's cards are purchased by women
12. About 1/3 will do a Valentine's dinner and/or a movie
13. About 1 in 5 buy jewelry as Valentine's gifts
14. Almost 9% of all diamond jewelry is sold as Valentine's gifts
15. 2 to 1, men outspend women for Valentine's
16. More than 1/4 will shop online for Valentine's gifts, 1/3 of those from tablets
17. Valentine's shoppers spend an average of 30% more online
18. About 1 in 5 will buy for their pets
19. Almost half of marriage proposals happen on Valentine's Day
20. Almost 1/3 of Valentine's shoppers procrastinate
21. 40% of procrastinators believe it's too late to find a deal after Feb. 13
22. 38% want smartphones as a Valentine's gift
23. 1/2 of women that don't receive a gift would end their relationship
24. Tucson, AZ spending increases 68% during Feb. Valentine's Day sales

Data was aggregated from published surveys and reports by FatWallet.com. Data resources include: statisticbrain.com, aboutflowers.com, AMEX, EdahnGolan, Greeting Cards Association, Hallmark, Cardlytics, momentology.com, Ebates, Inc., Georgetown Institute for Consumer Research and National Retail Federation.

Valentine's Day Fun Facts

Expressing one's love to another is a celebrated custom on Valentine's Day. Sweethearts and family members present gifts to one another, such as cards, candy, flowers and other symbols of affection. Opinions differ as to who was the original Valentine, but the most popular theory is that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome. In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine Day. Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s. The spirit continues today with even young children exchanging valentine's cards with their fellow classmates.

Candy

1,379 Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate products in 2012, employing 37,998 people. California led the nation with 152 of these establishments, followed by New York, with 119. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2012, NAICS code (31135)http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2012/00A1/naics~31135

445 Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2012. These establishments employed 20,419 people. California led the nation in this category with 46 establishments.  
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2012, NAICS code (31134)  
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2012/00A1/naics~31134

$13.5 billion The estimated value of shipments in 2011 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 Annual Survey of Manufactures, Products and Service Codes (311320 and 311330)
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ASM/2011/31VS201//prodsvc~311320|311330

Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was an estimated $8.4 billion industry. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 Annual Survey of Manufactures, Products and Service Code (311340) 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ASM/2011/31VS201//prodsvc~311340

3,170Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2012. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (445292)http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2012/00A1/naics~445292

Flowers

14,344 The total number of florist establishments nationwide in 2012. These businesses employed 62,397 people.  
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (4531) 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2012/00A1/naics~4531

$294,730,180 The value of imports for cut flowers and buds for bouquets in 2014 through November. The total value of fresh cut roses as ofOctober 2014 was $407,807,220. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Foreign Trade Division USA Trade Online U.S. Import and Export Merchandise trade (Commodity code-060319 and 060311)
https://usatrade.census.gov/

Jewelry

23,413 The estimated number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2012.  Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. 
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (448310)http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2012/00A1/0100000US/naics~448310

"Please Be Mine"

29.0 and 26.6 years 
Median age at first marriage in 2013 for men and women, respectively. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2013, 
http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/marital.html Table MS-2

52.7% The overall percentage of people 15 and older who reported being married. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2013,
http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2013A.html Table A1

68.6% Percentage of people 15 and older in 2013 who had been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2013,
http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2013A.html Table A1

36.9              The provisional rate of marriages per 1,000 people performed in Nevada during 2011. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked number one nationally in marriage rates. Hawaii ranked second with a marriage rate of 17.6. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/marriage_rates_90_95_99-11.pdf

2.1 million The provisional number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2011. That breaks down to nearly 5,800 a day.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/marriage-divorce.htm

74.5% 
The percentage of women who married for the first time between 1990 and 1994, who reached their 10th anniversary. This compares with 82.8 percent of women who married for the first time between 1960 and 1964. Men who married for the first time between 1990 and 1994, who reached their 10th anniversary was 77.3 percent. This compares with 83.4 percent who married for the first time between 1960 and 1964. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009, 
http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf Table 4

Giving Love a Second Chance

19.2% Among people 15 and older who have been married, the percentage of men and women in 2013 who have been married twice, and 5.3 percent have been married three or more times. By comparison, 75.5 percent of people who have been married have done so just once. 
Source: 2013 American Community Survey (Table B12505)http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_1YR_B12505&prodType=table

8   Median length, in years, of first marriages that ended in divorce.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf Table 8

3.8 and 3.7 The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage for men and women, respectively. However, the two medians are not statistically different from each other.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf Table 8

9% and 7.9% Among people 15 and older in 2009, the percentage of men and women, respectively, who had married twice and were still married.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf Table 6

Looking for Love

393 The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Censushttp://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ECN/2007_US/00A1//naics~8129902

Try Looking Here . . .Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine's Day:          

Rose City, Texas 
(Population – 509)

Loveland, Colo.
(Population – 71,334)

Romeo, Colo.
(Population – 400)

Lovejoy, Ga.
(Population – 6,302)

Loves Park, Ill.
(Population – 23,703)

Lovington, Ill.
(Population – 1,116)

Romeoville, Ill.
(Population – 39,650)

Rosemont, Ill.
(Population – 4,236)

Romeo, Mich.
(Population – 3,582)

Rose City, Mich.
(Population – 640)

Darling, Minn.
(Population – 531)

Sacred Heart, Minn.
(Population  – 527)

Valentine, Neb.
(Population – 2,789)

Lovelock, Nev.
(Population – 1,958)

Loving, N.M.
(Population – 1,412)

Lovington, N.M.
(Population – 11,550)

Rosemont, Md.  
(Population – 304)                 

Love Valley, N.C.
(Population – 98)

South Heart, N.D.
(Population – 358)

Loveland, Ohio
(Population – 12,326)

Loveland Park, Ohio   
(Population – 1,523)

Love County, Okla.
(Population – 9,742)

Loveland, Okla.
(Population – 13)

Lovelady, Texas
(Population – 623)

Loving County, Texas
(Population – 95)       

Valentine, Texas
(Population – 129)

Rose Hill Acres, Texas
(Population – 445)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 
http://factfinder2.census.gov