Lifestyle reporter René Hill and photographer Mark Tatem took to the streets of Hamilton this week to determine whether Valentine's Day still resonates with Bermuda residents.

We found it did, although how it was celebrated differed from person to person some expected chocolate covered strawberries, roses and gifts; others preferred to show their love and appreciation of those dear to them.

"You know, I think it is a traditional thing and it is a nice thing to do for couples and prospective couples," said Gareth Dixon. "It is also quite commercialised now. And why does it have to be Valentine's Day to give roses?"

"I love Valentine's, I love surprises, I love gifts and I love roses, and I am in love," said Sallie DeSilva.

"I'm single, so I unfortunately don't celebrate Valentine's Day at the moment," explained Glenn Taylor.

But asked what he would do if he was hooked up, he said: "I'd get my girl some roses."

"I'll put it to you like this here, love is ordained by God, not man, and so if we can line ourselves up with the God of gods, we wouldn't need someone else to tell us about a heart," said Raymond Tucker.

"I treat my wife like it is Valentine's Day most times of the year," said Rodney Burchall. "I buy her flowers and we go out to eat, so Valentine's is not that special to me but I do my part although I don't really get excited about it.

"I've been married for ten years, but I have known my wife for 17 years."

Was it love at first sight?

"Basically it was. We used to work at the same job, we used to flirt a lot, then it just got serious, and the rest is history.

"But Valentine's is nice... and it doesn't necessarily mean that someone doesn't care about you because you didn't get flowers. It is nice to show your love as often as you can."

Craig Cannonier has been married to Antoinette for eight years.

"Personally, I think it is a great opportunity but it is overrated," he said. "Basically my wife and I give every day and I don't wait for Valentine's Day, I make my own special occasion. So my wife and I continue to give each other flowers all year.

"My wife and I have always been like that. I try to teach my children and I even tell my employees that I don't wait for a special occasion.

"I will do something, I'm not sure if it will be roses, but it will be something."

Visitors from London, England Jane and Roy Smith, have been together for about 17 years.

According to Mr. Smith they met, "just walking along a beach in Spain, honestly, she was walking one way and I was walking the other, and we met".

A book and a rose were enough to keep her happy on Valentine's Day, Mrs. Smith said.

"I like a rose and I got a book, I wanted a book before we came away and he bought it for me."

Added her husband: "Well, she's going to give me the book back."

"I like Valentine's for a party, there is a party down my side and I want to go to that," said Chris Harrell. "I'll be taking my girl with me."

Gary Williams said he had been married to Gaynelle for almost 28 years.

"I am a flower guy on Valentine's and anniversaries," he said. As for this year, I don't know what I am going to do. I am still thinking about it, actually. I was thinking about doing something a home, pick up a lobster, take it home and try my hand at cooking it."

Shane Dietz plans to buy his girlfriend of seven months a bouquet of flowers.

"I left it in the hands of the florist, but said nothing too extravagant," he said.

"We are going to dinner and then we are going to hang out and there will be a few gifts involved, but I won't give that away."

Felecia Pike's sweetheart loves to buy her flowers and stuffed toys.

"He brings me a big bunch and stuffed animals," she said.

"I still have them and the deflated balloons (I've had) for about two years. I also dry my flowers, I hang them up and I even sprayed them gold.

"I take care of my Valentine's gifts, because I only get them from my sweetheart."

"I think that Valentine's Day is like any other day of the year," said Useff Eve. "All in all, I guess it is for the ladies pretty much. But many women today would rather have it every day of the year."

Celebrating Valentine's is the last thing on Maria Jones' mind.

She plans to spend her weekend studying and maybe catching a movie.

"This Malcolm X quote comes to mind: 'Winners make things happen; losers let things happen. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today'."

Stated Melissa Lawley: "I like flowers. I like a lot of presents and I think boys should get girls lots of presents on Valentine's flowers, candy, jewellery and chocolate covered strawberries but I don't think that girls should have to get them anything."