Since we at BOP know that most Boppers are, like us, suckers for romance, we asked the babes behind the love songs "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long As You Love Me"--Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, Nick Carter and A.J. McLean - to heat up our pages with their most romantic Valentine's Day gestures. After reading their anecdotes, you might want to rename them the Lovestreet Boys.
But before you continue, there is one thing you must keep in mind: None of the guys currently have girlfriends! Everything the guys shared with us on these two pages are stories from the past, so there's no need to get all in a panic! Okay?!
Tricks And Treats: A Winning Combination
Starting with Lexington, Kentucky-born babe Brian, he has proven his wonderful wit is a surefire way to any girl's heart. "When I first moved to Florida, I met this girl [through school] and we started dating," the almost 23-year-old (his birthday is February 20) sets up. "I knew her locker combination, so I put some roses in there and little stick'em cards and little messages and stuck them all over the walls." Kind of makes you want to give your locker combination away to the cutest boy in class, doesn't it? Just make sure there's plenty of room for any unexpected decorations!
As for the other Kentucky native of the group, Brian's cousin Kevin, 26, proved that the way to a girl's heart is through her stomach. "I got up at like 5 a.m. and got bagels with strawberry cream cheese cut up fresh strawberries, poured a fresh glass of orange juice and filled a vase with fresh flowers," the tall, dark and handsome romantic describes. "I packed it all up and drove to the apartment of this girl I was dating, put rose petals all over the place and served her this breakfast on a tray." How's that for a tasty wake-up call?
Waiting For Love Is Even More Romantic
Now, even though the topic here is romantic Valentine's Day stories from the Backstreet Boys' pasts, it would be a tragedy to leave out A.J. just because he's still waiting for his turn to demonstrate that he's got what it takes to make a girl swoon. "I haven't had a real opportunity to do anything really romantic - as romantic as I would like to," A.J., 20, reveals. "But, I mean, I'm an all-out kind of person and I'm an old-fashioned romantic. I could do something really big and huge and overdone, but I haven't done it - yet." Knowing that this Backstreet Boy is the most extravagant shopper out of the five, that lucky girl, whoever she'll be, will certainly be in for a treat!
So while A.J. is still holding out for that special someone to shower with affection, Nick, the youngest ladies' man of the BSB bunch, recounts having readied for a romantic February 14 nearly every year! "In high school, I would give girls those little cards," the 18-year-old coyly shares with BOP. But despite his ever hopeful task of showering many girls with V-Day notes, Nick's charm hasn't won him a lasting Valentine - at least not yet. "I never really had a chance to have a serious relationship," the blond cutie laments. Constant travel as a performer can do that to you - but so can giving cards to more than one girl at a time!
What Do Airplanes And Green Beans Have To Do With It?
If you think you have heard them all, wait 'til you hear about the most romantic scenario of the lot. Who else but humble honey Howie would go through the steps to make a girl's Valentine's Day so special that just when you'd think it's over, there's more?! Make sure you're sitting down as you read through this one - it's sure to make your heart beat with envy!
"One time back in high school I was seeing this girl and I ended up taking her out for Valentine's," the 24-year-old sweetie begins. "I ordered flowers and everything. Big old Valentine's card. I invited her over to my house and convinced my parents into letting me cook for her. I mean, like, a candlelight dinner. So I barbecued steaks and green beans."
You'd think that an intimate dinner would be enough to rate as a great date - but Howie had more in store! "And then afterwards...I though this was kind of cool," he proudly recalls, "we went out to the airport where people park their cards and open their sun roofs and just watch the planes go by. It was really romantic, looking up at the stars." Sweetness! Howie's mother definitely brought him up right.
In just reading about these five sentimental sweethearts, it is obvious that the Backstreet Boys sure know how to sweep a girl off of her feet. And don't worry, A.J. or Nick, the Valentine's Day romantic in each of you is sure to meet that special girl sonner or later. Are there any bidders?
- BOP
April, 1998