Vexed in Park Slope: Valentine's Edition!

 

Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day, VIPSters!  In the holiday spirit I’ve rounded up some stories of love from long ago in Park Slope. If these historical anecdotes don’t get you in the mood for romance, or at least melt a few cynical hipster hearts of ice, I don’t know what will. xoxoxo

You know those Park Slope dates where you wander around the hood, popping into one café or bar, having a drink or five, and then moving to the next locale? And you know how sometimes one person gets so drunk that they dare the other person to marry them that same night, and then they do?  Because that’s exactly what transpired one night in February1907, when Eleanor Campbell (of 823 President Street) dared a very drunk Walter Stevenson (408 6^th Street) to marry her – and he did!

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WHO GIVES A SHIT: Would You Want a Designer Proposal, Like These Folks?

Since so many of you singles admitted that all you want is wedding bells in your future, here's something to think about while you're busy finding the bride/groom: designer proposals. The New York Times recently ran a snippet on proposal planners, people to whom men fork over many monies for choreographed, "dream" proposals, since that simple on-bended-knee thing is so 2011. 

Why does this concern you, you ask? 'Cuz one of these gems happened right here on Fifth Avenue at Belleville in your fair neighborhood. But, uh, for some people from Pittsburgh:

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Honeymoon on the Gowanus: Nothing Says Romance Like Superfund

 

Ah, young love. How it inspires the heart so! In fact, I feel a poem coming on:

FIPS sends congrats on this day of your wedding
Despite the bummer news of BALLER status shedding
Now do as newlyweds and retire to your bed
Just know we told you so when the Gowanus gives your offspring six heads

Thanks to Patricia Henry for the photo!

Cutest Couple in Park Slope Alert!

It's official! You may as well throw in your towel, every other adorable, shmoopy Park Slope couple out there--cause you ain't got nothin on Marvin and Martha Usdin.

These two decided to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary (that's SIX OH) by throwing a fab block party for their whole block.

TRUE CONFESSIONS: WE USED TO LIVE ON THAT BLOCK! I know Marvin and his adorable dog! Greg used to accuse me of having a crush on him, which duh, I kinda did. Miss you, Marv! And congrats!

(via (NY Daily News)

BREAKING: Breaking Up Is Less Hard to Do

Happy Valentine's Day. Not to kill the current FIPS luv jones, but just got the news that divorce is back!

Yes, it's a leading economic indicator; kind of good news/bad news.

Apparently during the heyday of the recesh, breaking up was hard to do. Divorce rates actually dropped by 7% and our put-upon matrimonial lawyers were feeling the pinch. Like the Soviets before us, New Yorkers were destined to fight over the toilet seat long after the thrill was gone.

But now that the economy's doing better—WOOHOO! Miserably married Park Slopers can safely divide our assets and head on down to Duane Reade to buy Russell Stover candy hearts and celebrate.

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