Following coronary “events” in 2006 and 2008, which earned me four coronary stents, I began to include annual Heart Health Month reminders in this column each February.

Each year I wonder if repeating the cautionary reminders is of value until an email from a reader in August 2019 brought me to tears. He said he began having some symptoms that seemed stroke-like and the words “listen to your body” ... my mantra for years ... came to him. A call to his wife, who called an ambulance, a trip to the ER and an almost catastrophic medical event followed. He told me he was recovering and thanked me for reminding people to listen to their body without hesitation.

So here’s a reminder: according to the American Heart Association nearly twice as many people die every year from coronary disease than from all forms of cancer combined. Often symptoms don’t resemble movie heart attacks and can be subtle. But here’s what I know, you’ll know when something just doesn’t feel right. Trust yourself to know and don’t hesitate to seek help.

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The cover of the latest issue of Kootenai Health Magazine features a handsome man holding a red heart pillow, sitting on a Harley. Inside is the story written by Andrea Nagle of my husband’s experience last March with open heart surgery.

Because Bert listened to his body, and his wife, and went to the ER that morning we’ve enjoyed 340 bonus days together.

And a note about the red heart pillow — following open heart surgery your breastbone is wired back together. The pillow is used by patients to protect the breastbone when standing up or sitting back down, when you cannot use your arms. Bert and that pillow were inseparable for his first weeks of recovery and is signed by nurses and doctors who cared for him in the hospital.

And the Harley? Five months after surgery Bert was cleared to ride again, and also to use the lawnmower. Tough choice.

If you didn’t receive a magazine in the mail, they’re available at Kootenai Health and their partners throughout the county.

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My first Valentine was my dad and throughout his life he never failed to give a card or box of candy to his daughters. It’s fun to receive candy and flowers and enjoy a nice dinner out but I’ve come to really value being loved 365 days out of the year. On Valentine’s Day 1986 my husband arrived in Idaho from North Dakota to take a giant leap of faith to marry me and my three daughters a month later. He left his family and lifelong friends to make a life and a home here where I had family and lifelong friends.

For 34 years Valentine’s Day has held a special meaning for me. So celebrate love however it appears in your life. Celebrate today and every day if you’re blessed to be loved.

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Side by side headlines in local news on Monday’s cdapress.com, LUTEFISK AND LEFSA DINNER MENU FOR SATURDAY and SOMETHING SMELLS PHISHY ...

As a North Dakotan/Norwegian by marriage I can attest to the acquired taste (and aroma) of lutefisk. Although I’ve yet to meet many people who’ve actually acquired the taste. Uffda!

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Things to Do Highlights:

Friday the Hayden branch of the Community Library Network hosts a special Valentine’s Day storytime at the Human Rights Education Institute at 10:30 a.m., followed by games, crafts, photo booth, and Valentine’s Day treats at the Carousel.

Valentine’s Day guitar concert with Mateusz Kowalski, 7:30 p.m. at the Jacklin Arts Center. Also at the JACC on Saturday, Tango Volcado concert at 7 p.m., tango dancers welcome. Info: 208-457-8950.

Friday is the 11th Annual North Idaho Habitat for Humanity Hearts for Homes Sweetheart Ball at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn, starting at 5 p.m.

Saturday from 2-4 p.m. an open house at sculptor Terry Lee’s studio, 1506 W. Lacey Ave, Hayden, will feature a life-size replica of a suffragist to join the existing “working man” series including a miner, a logger and a farmer, on the terrace above McEuen Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Commemorating the 100th anniversary in 2020 of women’s right to vote, donations are being accepted to fund the sculpture. Info: 208-292-1629 or ali@artsandculturecda.org.

On Sunday the Coeur d’Alene Big Band Tea Dance at the Cd’A Eagles starts at 3 p.m.

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Happy birthday today to Faith Valente, Bonnie Guindon, Kim Edmondson, Rochenda Crane, Elizabeth Glidden and Laura Wilson. Tomorrow Rachel Fehling, Sam Crawford, Ron Vieselmeyer, Jim Prussack, Sherry Adkins, Ken Martin and Toby Flood take another trip around the sun.

Happy Valentine’s Day birthdays to LaDonna Beaumont (50!), Don James (90!), Joe Doellefeld, Jason Hayes, Tripp Rogers, Jan McDaniels, Susan DuBois, Sarah Hansen, David Lunceford, Jean Bledsoe, Mike Shepperd, Kaelyn Bingham and Sarah Schell. Feb. 15 is a special occasion for Jeff Conroy, Linda Jagars, Mindy Hatcher, Tracy Dickinson, Craig Smith, Art Sullivan, Sandi Hall and Donna Montgomery.

On Sunday Stephanie Smith, Paula Rehrmann, Tom Thompson, Diana Farquhar, Adam Averill, Morgan Dickinson, Bruce English, Quinn Kennedy and Jim Wilson blow out the candles.

Monday’s birthday revelers are Mike Kennedy, Dorene Russell, Dewey Berndt, Helen Pischner, Lisa Ortize, Steve Mills, Don DuBois, Chuck Ethridge, Leslie Anne Spencer and Mary Button. Big birthday wishes on Tuesday to Jill Monroe, Howard Gould, Steve Shepperd, Susie Bingham, Pershia Moser, Abbie Nowland and Diana Raugust.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.