Defining Love: Clinton County Residents Reflect on the Meaning of Love This Valentine’s Day

By Emily Wright
CLINTON COUNTY — As heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and elegant bouquets begin to fill flower and gift shops in Clinton County, love is undeniably in the air; but what, exactly, is love? To explore this question, The Record took to the neighborhood, asking our community members of diverse ages and walks of life to share their perspectives on the eternal mystery that has inspired poets, musicians, and romantics for centuries. The answers were as eclectic and heartfelt as the individuals who offered them.

Eleven-year-old Aadlynn Marr, an elementary school student in Clinton County, was happy to share her thoughts on the subject. “Love to me is [when] whoever you love treats you right and is a loving, kind-hearted person who would do anything for you and will always be by your side!” she said enthusiastically. Aadlynn’s notion of love is one of comfort and security, mirroring the unadulterated perspective of a child.

For local high school sweethearts Susan and Todd Powlus, who celebrated their 46th anniversary in July, love is enduring and unconditional. “True love shines brightest when times are tough— like when you break your shoulder and your husband not only cares for you but also lovingly steps up to care for your 93-year-old mother,” Susan explained after recently sustaining an unexpected injury while at work. “That’s Valentine’s Day love in its purest form.”

Susan and Todd met in high school; Susan attended Lock Haven High School, while Todd went to Bald Eagle Nittany (B.E.N.). They married on July 8, 1978, a year after Susan graduated. They converted their home, which was formerly the Powlus Dance Studio in Mill Hall, into both their living space and Susan’s hair and wig salon, The Hair Refinery. Todd, a local musician, also uses part of the former dance studio as his home music studio, equipped with drums, guitars, and other instruments, preserving the arts in the space decades after the dance studio closed.

As Susan’s mother, Janet Andrus, began to grow older, the couple welcomed her into their home. Todd’s willingness to care for both his wife and her elderly mother without hesitation exemplifies the selfless nature that unconditional love embodies, reflecting their unwavering commitment to each other regardless of the circumstances.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Canaan Schlesinger, a Lock Haven resident, was happy to take a break from eating his snack to provide his input when asked, “What is love?”. At first, with some hesitation and the awareness that his mother was listening, he said, “When I go to Sunday school.” After a moment of reflection and a possible attempt at charming The Record’s reporter, who posed the question, Canaan decided to elaborate on his answer, clearly expressing what comes to mind when he hears the word “love” by stating, “When I eat brownies… Mommy, milk, brownies, and Jesus,” he concluded. Whether this list is ranked in a specific order remains unclear, however his love for brownies and milk was apparent. As he clung to his mother with the sound of praise and worship music playing in the background, it was clear that for this little boy, love encompasses the things, values, and people we cherish most.

Robert Baguley, a European-American who is more commonly known in Clinton County as “British Bob” because of his distinct British accent, shared an introspective view of love, putting an emphasis on emotional connection and relationships. “What is love? It’s a deep affection and emotional connection; a complex mix of care, compassion, attachment, and intimacy,” he said. “Love exists in various forms—romantic, familial, or platonic, but speaking in the context of Valentine’s Day, to me, it’s an intense emotion that encompasses affection, attraction, caring, warmth, fondness, and respect for our partner.”

Although Baguley has been a Clinton County resident for roughly 18 years, his perspective on love is shaped not only by his life experiences but also by his cultural background as a dual national. His former role as director of engineering for a global food manufacturing and processing company has taken him to countries worldwide, further influencing his perspective.

Clinton County resident Stephanie Larison has a straightforward answer to the question of what love is: “Love is endless forgiveness,” she said. Drawing from her spiritual beliefs, she confidently added, “Jesus taught us that! [And] I believe it to be true.”

Mill Hall resident Lauren Maroni, wife of Josh Maroni and mother of two daughters, offered her perspective on love, drawn from personal experience. “Love is life. Life is love. Love isn’t an adjective. Love isn’t a verb,” she said. “To me, love isn’t simply just something that we say or do—love is in a hug or a kiss. Love is the feeling you get when you watch your babies sleep. Love is ‘I do’. Love is inherited. God is love; the Bible tells me so.”

Adding to the conversation, Maroni’s 16-year-old daughter, Audrie, shared her thoughts on love, suggesting that love is defined by the emotions it evokes. “Love has no real definition. The only way love can truly be described is in a feeling,” she asserted. “Love is whenever you look at a person and with no doubt in your mind, no matter the difficulty or differences, you wouldn’t trade that person with anyone or anything else. If you cannot doubtlessly say this, it is not ‘love,’ but merely ‘like’.”

Despite the varied perspectives, one thing is clear: love, in all its diverse forms, remains a powerful and unifying force in our lives. Whether it is expressed through affection and emotional connection, the shared life of a married couple, the tender care of a partner, or brownies and Jesus, love is the common thread that connects us.

As Valentine’s Day invites us to reflect on love, may these voices from across Clinton County inspire you to celebrate love in all its beautiful, multifaceted forms.