With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, WKU students can smell the love and scent of dog food in the air. Some of us may smell the dog food a bit stronger than others, but alas there is no winner in love and dog food.

Some of you may be thinking of places you’d want to take that special someone in your life out to so you can properly convey your affections. When it comes to romantically expressing yourself, atmosphere and setting are crucial.

For example, maybe you’re thinking of proposing to a long-time, serious partner. Would you rather propose at a The Derby Piano & Dessert Bar or on the railroad tracks? Granted, one would provide you with a sense of immediacy and perhaps influence your partner’s answer, but maybe it’s not the best place. Unless you both really like trains.

If you’re looking for the best places in Bowling Green to strike up that romantic mood then you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you’re looking for something more along the lines of unconventional, then I welcome you with open arms.

Con Con’s – First of all, be grateful I’m spilling the beans on Con Con’s at all because it’s one of, if not my absolute, favorite place in this city. Located on Russellville Road, just a stone’s throw away from that Waffle House you find yourself at two in the morning, Con Con’s has an atmosphere I struggle to describe. It’s friendly, warm, a light in this intrepid dark world and they keep the coffee flowing like a cascading waterfall.

The intersection of State Street and E 13th Ave.– I know what you’re thinking, what a great find, am I right? Now at most times of the day this is just a normal intersection, but from the hours of 2 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. it’s magically transformed to a regular intersection with a small disco ball that can be seen levitating about 50 feet overhead. Some say the disco ball is a memorial to the victims of the Bowling Green massacre. You can’t ask for better atmosphere than this, folks.

Habegger’s Amish Market – Conveniently located at 415 Perrytown Rd. in Scottsville, the Amish market is a staple of great food that I have never had the opportunity to partake in. I zoomed out far enough on Google Maps to where it came up and it looks intriguing enough to warrant a trip down there. Encouraging you to “simplify” and spend the day with them, I can think of fewer places more romantic or unknown than Habegger’s Amish Market.

Flea Land – If you and your special someone are a fan of odds, ends, antiques and all around fun then Flea Land is the place for you. Boasting itself as “Kentucky’s Largest Flea Market,” Flea Land is a place for the whole family. Picture this, you have your arm around your beloved and out of the corner of your eye, you see a 1988 vase crafted by your great great grandfather; you can practically feel his spirit emitting off the vase. You then dedicate your life to collect all the vases he made and fall into madness. Ah, romance.

The grassy knoll inside the roundabout – We all love the roundabout; it’s circular shape, how it’s not a straight line, people’s inability to comprehend its circular shape and how it’s not a straight line causing them to almost crash into you. The roundabout is a busy place, anybody who’s anybody is driving around it, so what better place to publicly proclaim your love? Plus, Loving Way is right there next to you so talk about setting the tone, right? Right? Also, if things don’t go well you can immediately flag down your car and flee the scene.

There is at least one solid actual food choice on this list, so you’re welcome for that. The point of this was you don’t have to follow conventional rules for how you show love, but no one actually reads the entirety of these anyway so enjoy your quick laugh.