As Valentine's Day approaches, half the staff of The Stranger is frantically making romantic plans, and the other half DGAF.

Among the planners, one heterosexual said she had just "ordered a gluten-free Deathcake" from Cupcake Royale that she will "probably share" with her partner. Another said, "Maybe wax? Get a nice wax." Another said, "Trying not to masturbate."

In the other camp, one of the queers on staff said, "I don't celebrate Christmas. I definitely don't celebrate Valentine's Day." Another said, "I didn't do Thanksgiving this year. We missed Christmas. I think I was too drunk to celebrate New Year's. I'll probably get a bunch of weed, but that's just for me."

Everyone's different—just like every relationship is different.

For this love-themed issue of The Stranger, Lester Black takes a look at the most powerful couple in the Pacific Northwest, Mayor Jenny Durkan and her partner, Dana Garvey. We're not sure how they met, because they refused to tell us, just as they've refused to disclose a bunch of other things political couples usually disclose.

If you are sick of online dating and you want some help meeting someone IRL, you should read up on the Offline Movement.

If you already have someone to date but you don't know what the hell to do together, consider the Mystery app, which will plan a date for you, customized to your interests.

If you're trying to go on a date but you have a 1-year-old at home, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Leilani Polk knows that old story all too well. Read about it here.

If you're looking for some self-empowerment as a single person, check out Jasmyne Keimig's gorgeous essay here.

Can astrology predict romantic compatibility? Or is astrology bullshit? Dave Segal has some anecdotal insights, and you can read them here.

And what about mixed-cannabis couples—one smokes and the other doesn't? Can it last? Katie Herzog, who smokes her body weight in weed daily, weighs in here.