Valentine’s Day with a twist, how some Edmontonians celebrated love this year

Nahreman Issa talks to some long-distance couples meeting in person in Edmonton for Valentine's Day.

Love was in the air in Edmonton on Friday – literally.

At the Edmonton International Airport (YEG), Nhaye Olsonshe waited patiently for her girlfriend Selena to arrive from Montreal.

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Olsonshe moved from there to Edmonton a few months ago, and was hoping to surprise Selena to make up for a few missed milestones.

“A couple days ago it was six months (together), then it was her birthday, now it’s Valentine’s Day,” she said.

“Her mom knows I’m here, but she hopefully didn’t give away the surprise.”

Airport reunions weren’t the only way Edmontonians celebrated the holiday.

In Glenora, landmark lovers bundled up to love bomb a building.

The Save the Old RAM Taskforce, a community group dedicated to trying to save the former Royal Alberta Museum (RAM), gathered and hung heart-shaped messages on the fence surrounding the decommissioned premises.

It’s called Heart Bombing, and according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it’s the act of showing a historic place with expressions of affection and devotion.

“We’re concerned that the government has declared they’re going to demolish the old RAM, and what we’d like to see is that they declare a moratorium and give us a chance to step back and look at some options,” said task force member Stuart Adams.

Adams said the old RAM is the fifth building in Edmonton to be Heart Bombed, and he hopes it shows just how important the historic landmark is to people.

“These are people who’ve come out in the cold,” he added. “We’ve got over 100 hearts that people who were unable to make it out this morning, (who) have sent us their names and we’ve filled them out … We’ve got people from Ottawa, Lacombe, Calgary, Toronto.

“I even received last night a message from a woman in England.”

For anyone who isn’t feeling the love this Valentine’s Day, a local junk removal company is offering a free opportunity to trash your ex – for a good cause.

Junk King has parked its bright red Valentine’s Dump Truck outside the Goodwill on Stony Plain Road and 187 Street for anyone to come toss out their former flame’s leftover stuff.

The truck will be available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Two items are allowed per person, and no items heavier than 50 pounds are allowed.

For each item tossed, Junk King will donate $1 to the American Health Association, up to a total of $500.

Items in good condition will be donated, and the rest will be dumped.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa