MOUNT ZION - When 19-year-old Jennifer Garner first saw Tony Camden, she thought he was too old.

"There was no way I was going to go out with him," she said. "He was 26."

There were a couple of cupid-like relatives who tended to disagree.

Camden's niece had been going out with Jennifer's older brother for some time.

They helped arrange for Camden to come to Jennifer's door, along with a load of lumber from the lumber yard where he worked. Apparently, they thought Camden and Jennifer might hit it off.

"Everyone thought he'd be good for me," Jennifer Camden recalled. "I just got out of a bad relationship. I was scared to date him."

The cupids suggested the four of them spend a day together at a theme park. Jennifer warmed up to Camden a bit, so they followed that up with a movie date.

A few days before Valentine's Day, Camden began making plans. Jennifer did not have a clue as to what he was up to.

This is what Jennifer Camden wrote about her fateful Valentine's Day date, in response to a request from the Herald & Review for stories from readers:

"The best date I can remember happened on Valentine's Day, 1997. I received two dozen roses, two of each color, a stuffed animal and a box of chocolates at work. Then my boyfriend and I had a double date with my brother and his girlfriend. We went to the airport for dinner. After about 20 minutes, my boyfriend got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, just as my brother took a picture. It happened so fast I was speechless, but of course I said yes.

"One year later, in front of our family and friends, we were married, on Feb. 14, 1998. This year we will be celebrating eight years together. This will always be the best valentine date ever!"

Tony Camden admitted he was not the most romantic guy in the world, but at the time it seemed like a good idea to propose and get married on the day of romance.

"I was only going to get married once, and that was a good time to do it," Camden said.

He liked the idea of being able to take care of his anniversary and Valentine's Day at the same time every year.

While it means he has no excuse for forgetting their anniversary, with reminders in numerous ads and various stores, he does not get off any easier when it comes to presents.

"I know I better get double gifts and double flowers," Camden said.

His in-laws did get a break when they realized that their daughter would be wed on the big red heart-themed day.

"The day after I proposed, Wal-Mart had all their Valentine's Day decorations 75 percent off," Camden recalled. "Jennifer and my mother-in-law bought a cartful of decorations. Money was no object. They bought so much stuff."

Camden said he believes he made the right choice when he proposed to Jennifer. The couple has been blessed with two sons.

"She's been a good wife and a faithful wife," Tony said. "Me and the boys appreciate her and all the stuff she does for us. She's very caring and giving and would give anybody the shirt off her back. She takes care of us very, very well."

Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985.