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Cutest Couple Contest: Vote For Your Favorite Love Birds!

Meet the nominees for Malverne-West Hempstead's cutest couple contest.

 
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Mary and Arthur
Mary Hopkins, of East Rockaway, and Arthur Raymond, of Port Chester, met at Mitchell Field during WWII, where she worked for the Army Air Corps and he was stationed as a Sergeant. The couple, who now live in Malverne, were married on Dec. 1, 1945 and recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Courtesy Mike Bailey
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Greg and Carolyn Fewer, of Malverne, met on a Club Med vacation in Martinique in 1984. "We've been in love ever since," says Greg. Credit Courtesy Greg Fewer
Denise and Pete Johansen, of West Hempstead, were first paired up on Halloween in 1963 when Denise (then in Kindergarten) and Pete ( a first grader) came to Chestnut Street School dressed up as JFK and Jackie Kennedy. They've been dating since 1977, happily married for 32 years, and blessed with four children. Credit Courtesy Denise Johansen
Jake Ejnes and his girlfriend of 2 years, Liz Romano, have known each other since Kindergarten but it took them until high school to realize how much they love each other. One day Liz called up Jake and told him she liked him. He replied, "Me too." "Jake is 6'3" and Liz is 5'2” so when they stand next to each other, the difference is so cute," says Barbara Ejnes. Credit Tara Conry
Mary Hopkins, of East Rockaway, and Arthur Raymond, of Port Chester, met at Mitchell Field during WWII, where she worked for the Army Air Corps and he was stationed as a Sergeant. The couple, who now live in Malverne, were married on Dec. 1, 1945 and recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Credit Courtesy Mike Bailey
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"Our first walk down the aisle was a memorable one," says Denise Johansen, of West Hempstead. "It was Halloween 1963, I was in kindergarten at Chestnut Street School and the costume my mother bought for me was Jackie Kennedy, although I probably didn’t know who that was at the time." 

When it came time for all the students to parade around the hallway in front of the other classes, one of the teachers noticed that a first grade boy was wearing a John F. Kennedy costume and paired him up with Denise.  "Sure enough, they made us walk hand-in-hand up and down the hallway," Johansen says. "I’m glad I at least had on a plastic mask so that no one could see how embarrassed I was."

Fourteen years later, she would be dating the boy in the JFK costume. (His name was Pete.)  "On one of our first dates, he asked me what I was for Halloween when I was in Kindergarten.  I had no idea so I went home and asked my Mom," Johansen recalls.  "She said, 'Oh, you were Jackie Kennedy,' and that's when Pete recounted the story of our walk together down the aisle at Chestnut Street School." 

The pair took the real walk down the aisle in 1980, and they never looked back, she told Patch, adding, "Still, in West Hempstead after all these years, we are blessed with four beautiful children and a multitude of family and friends.

Are Denise and Pete Johansen the cutest couple in Malverne and West Hempstead? We'll let you decide. Scroll through our photo gallery above to meet each of the couples who have entered so far, vote your favorite by writing their name in the comment space below (Only one vote per person.) and spread the love on Facebook and Twitter.

Want to enter you and your hubby into the competition or another great pair you know? Just send an email with a photo, the couple's names and any other information you care to share to Tara.Conry@Patch.com. (Or you can take matters into your own hands and just upload it to our gallery above.)

Polls close at 5 p.m. Feb. 13 and the winner will be announced on Valentine's Day on Patch, which will be sending them some cash to enjoy a night on the town.

Related Topics: Cutest Couple Contest and Valentine's Day 2012

Jennifer Johansen

12:31 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise for cutest couple! =]

Nola

12:32 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake & Liz! Cutest couple!!!

Sue Reichert

12:53 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise are the cutest couple!

Maureen

1:08 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete by far!!!

Susan Ainbinder Carroll

1:11 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Definitely Denise and Pete a great love story and a good example of what best friends for life means!

Susan ferrara

1:21 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete are the cutest couple. Good luck!

Amanda Rodriquez

1:56 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake and Liz!! Denise and Pete have a great story but Jake and Liz probably need the cash for Valentines Day! Friends since Kindergarten as well. Good luck to the two of them.

Heidi Mann

2:16 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete have a great story and are the cutest couple!

Ellen Graham

2:28 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Peter by far are the cutest and happiest couple I know.

Jen Kunz

2:30 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

I vote for Densie and Pete!

jeanine kurs

2:51 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise are the cutest couple!

Barb ejnes

2:52 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Go jake n Liz. U guys are so sweet together!

Bill Schutz

2:56 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Gonna go with Pete and Denise!!! :) :) :) :) :)

Lynn Sullivan

3:01 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete are by far the cutest couple, after all those years, they are still smiling. That says something!!!

Marie

3:17 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake and Liz are definitely the cutest!!!

Pat Daly Kenny

3:28 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise are the cutest.

Celia

3:33 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake and Liz a very sweet romance,very nice couple!!

Lynette Terjesen

3:52 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise look so cute together, even after all of these years! They get my vote!

debbie

3:54 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise are an example of true love

Patty

4:01 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

jake and liz. go young love

Carol Boyle

4:20 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise! What an adorable story! And they are the "BEST COUPLE!"

suzanne

4:21 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Absolutely, Denise and Pete!

Nancy Dietrich

4:30 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete definitely! Loved their story too!

Dawn Buscemi

5:05 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise are the Best!!! Such a great loving couple!

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Rose

8:24 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Definitely Pete and Denise!!!

Rosemarie LaLuna

5:06 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake and Liz are great they are so adorable together

Hank K.

5:10 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Liz and Jake are great! They are the cutest couple in West Hempstead! Even their story is cute.

Kevin

5:26 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Everyone who knows Liz and Jake know how much they deserve this. Good Luck! i vote Liz and Jake!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosalie Norton

5:28 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Liz and Jake..cute couple and really great kids

allan klein

5:52 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Def jake. So nice to see him grown up and not in jail

Johan Garcia

5:59 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise & Peter .. no competition!

Jennifer Johansen

6:04 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

well of course Denise and Pete !!!

Patricia Locurcio

6:04 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake & Liz - just because they are soooooooooooo cute!

Kathy

6:13 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

I vote for Denise and Pete! What ahomegrown beginning to their relationship! Our own little Camelot...

Philip Ej.

6:24 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake and Liz you will never find a nicer young couple

Jeanne

6:35 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

By far Denise and Pete - If you ever saw them...you would say totally cute and in-love!!

Linda F

7:57 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Pete and Denise get my vote as the cutesy"

Maribeth

8:05 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

I remember so well when my good friend Denise fell completely in love. We had become great friends working at Reliance Insurance Co. in Garden City. We hung out on a regular basis and when she told me that she wanted to ride up to the Bronx to visit a fellow at the Maritine (sic?) College, I was all for it! Denise turned me on to Bruce Springsteen and the joys of a man in a uniform when they were sweet enough to introduce me to a comrade of Pete's. Lovely. Denise & Pete ~ you are inspirational ~ Keep loving ~ Keep laughing (and your children are gorgeous!) Come on people!

Elizabeth Joy Brett

8:35 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete Johansen get my vote for the cutest and craziest) couple!

Elizabeth Joy Brett

8:36 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete Johansen are an amazing couple!

George Motschmann

9:48 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Denise and Pete Johansen get my vote!

Mercedes

11:56 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Jake and Liz are my favorites

Irma

12:10 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Liz and Jake are my number one couple

Marta

12:20 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

My young nice friends Jake and Liz

Paul

12:40 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Your photo is on par with those posted under
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cute
so, you got my vote. : D
<p>
ps: Order me: 1 - #1440 Stoneware Fluted Pan and 1 - #1465 12-Cup Muffin Pan

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Denise

9:18 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Paul, LOL You need to type in the couples names!!
and Thanks for the Pampered Chef Order!!!
<D>

Jeanine

1:10 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Denise and Pete!!!! Great story and look at them!!!

Angela

1:54 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

the winner couple should be Liz and Jake

Mary

2:04 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Jake and Liz a sweet love story

Megan Donegan

2:07 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Jake & Liz for sure no question about it. Good Luck!!!!!!! :) :) ;) <3 <3

Edward

2:17 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Liz and Jake very sweet romance since elementary school.

Dawn

7:48 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Pete and Denise for sure!!!

Trabulsi

9:55 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Peter and Denise get my vote. A great couple!

Eileen

10:19 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Pete and Denise WOOO-HOOO!!!!!

Jose

10:38 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Not only are Denise and Peter Johansen the Cutest couple, but they are also the most wonderful, generous, and amazing people I know. They are so active and known in this community, and I have never heard of anybody spitting a lick of bad about these two. At their own expense, they frequently sacrifice to give, serve, and help others. Good luck guys, and I hope you have a lovely V day!

susan fackelman

11:21 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Pete & Denise. What a CUTE story. The Jackie & JFK of West Hempstead!

Margaret Borkowski

1:17 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Denise & Pete! The best couple ever!!!

Fritz Grubber

1:20 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Denise & Pete!! Hey, there was a drunk guy in Connolly Station last night that said he wanted to vote for Carolyn and Greg, but he didn't know where to mail his vote to : 0

Melanie Dietrich

2:25 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Pete and Denise for cutest couple!

Alan

3:43 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Please make two West Hempstead seniors happy and have the best Valentine ever.Vote for Liz and Jake!!!!!!

alfredo

3:48 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

It is nice to see this young students so in love lets give them our vote !!!!Jake and Liz!!!!!

kris

3:55 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

What a better way to spend the last High School Valentine'sDay than to go on a romantic date. My choice is LIZ and JAKE!!!

Paul Brandel

6:54 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Mary Hopkins Raymond and Arthur Raymond

Paul Brandel

6:54 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Mary H Raymond and Art Raymond

Tim B

10:23 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

My vote goes to Jake and Liz

Kathy Marra

11:42 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Jake and Liz , So proud of you Jake.

Anne Bailey

9:58 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Mary and Art Raymond-- sixty six years and going strong!

Amy Rogan

9:58 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Denise & Pete are role models for young couples and young parents. And if you win, I expect some dessert!!

Denise Schutz

10:26 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Denise & Pete -- very very cute couple!!!

Carla Natalia

10:43 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Denise & Pete all the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO CUTE!!

Rosario Aparicio

10:46 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

I am voting for Denise & Peter. Congratulations I hope you win. But if not you are cutest couple.

Marc

10:54 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Lets see....

Pete & Denise

maad cute!

Jim Jenkins

11:02 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jake and Liz without a question. They are a great couple and two great and amazing kids.

Jerry Garfield

12:34 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Denise and Pete should win cutest couple

Gene Machine Parisi

12:42 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Pete and Denise... no contest!! Johansen rules!!

Mary Fairfield

1:00 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Pete and Denise! cutest couple!

leo trinidad

1:16 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Pete and Denise all dayyy yeahhh buddy so cute :)

Daisy Oliver

1:33 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jake! Liz! You two are by far the cutest couple on the Patch!

Philip Harwood

1:58 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jake and Liz are the cutest couple. You both have my vote!

Eric Lynch

2:08 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jake and Liz are the cutest couple in WH! Good Luck!

Marc

3:32 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Definitively Denise and Pete !!!!!!

tanisha white

4:04 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

denise and peter are definitely the cutest couple in this contest!

Lizzy Plach

4:16 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Cutest couple goes to Denise and Pete!!!!

Karl

4:26 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

My vote goes to Peter and Denise!

DebbieE.

4:40 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

cutest sweetest couple JAKE and LIZ

Phil E.

4:44 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jake and Liz no question!!!!

Vicky

4:49 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

my good friends Liz and Jake

Mabel

4:53 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

JAKE AND LIZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Esteban Cruz

4:57 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

JOHANSENS WOOOO! GO DENNY AND PETE!

Anthony C.

5:00 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jake and Liz you two deserve to win because YOU ARE THE CUTEST COUPLE !!

Valen

5:05 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

My favorite young couple LIZ and JAKE

joshua m.

5:07 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

My friends denise and peter! :)

Susan

5:09 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

My vote is for Liz and Jake the next cutest couple of West Hempstead.

Robert

5:15 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

The one and only cutest couple LIZ and JAKE. Good luck.

Susan Beatriz

5:29 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Denise and Petey all the wayy!!!!!

leah

6:02 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

jake and liz deserve it

Kevin

7:54 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Denise and Pete by far. Guys c'mon! Seriously !

Jaclyn Parenteau

8:25 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Denise and Pete are the cutest couple! xoxo

Olivia

10:38 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

the nicest kids Jake and Liz

Lori

10:42 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

my vote goes to Liz and Jake

Kim

10:48 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Sorry we are alow to vote only once, so without a question my vote goes to the cutest couple JAKE AND LIZ!!!!!!

Howard

12:35 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Good Luck my good friends Jake and Liz

David

12:43 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Jake you and Liz are the cutest couple. Good luck

Eva

6:41 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Denise and Pete cutest couple.

Dennis James Orwin

8:28 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Pete and Denise are the cutest..

Julie W

8:52 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

I hope that multiple votes from the same person are eliminated.

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Tara Conry

10:04 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

@Julie - Only one vote per user will count.

Joyce Bonhour

9:23 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Denise and Pete!! all the way!

Risa

9:59 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Peter and Denise are by far the cutest couple. To know them is to love them!

James Porter

10:01 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

The Raymonds! Arthur and Mary are adorable!

Byron Midgette

10:09 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

My Vote is for Pete and Denise

Binnie Midgette

10:13 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

and mine is for Pete and Denise also!!

Jacob Ejnes

10:22 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

I am definitely voting for me and Liz

Susan Sofio

11:40 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Pete and Denise r all the RAVE

Morten Asplin

12:17 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Denise and Pete of course! They look cutest all the way to Norway...!

Krissi Young

1:20 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Denise and Peter, definitely!!!!!

Chris

1:43 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Jake and Liz =cutest couple

Alice Langemen

2:22 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

I say Pete and Denise are the cutest!

John Johansen

2:35 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

My Nephew Pete Johansen and his lovely wife Denise are the cutest couple

Lorie

2:43 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Not other choice only Jake and Liz

Margie

2:47 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

A nice way to end the High School years ,a romantic dinner for JAKE AND LIZ!!!!

Debby Doughty-Lucas

3:19 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Denise & Pete a/k/a JFK & Jackie are the perfect couple! Love them...Love their Family <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Regina Flugmacher

3:36 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Pete and Denise have been my neighbors for over 30 years, We love them <3

Lynn Perry

4:01 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Definitely Pete and Denise!! Love them !

Pete Johansen

4:25 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Well I guess I should vote, I think my vote goes to Denise and Pete!!

Walter Ejnes

4:32 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Well if Pete is voting for himself, i guess I should vote for my son. I vote for Jake and Liz! good luck to all of these cute couples!

David Blister

4:38 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

I have had the pleasure of watching these two great kids grow up and I believe they deserve to win. They are a great and cute couple. My vote goes to Lizzie and Jake!

Cornelius

4:45 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Jake and Liz= cute couple.

Mario N.

4:47 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

JAKE AND LIZ!!!!! NO CONTEST!!!! THEY ARE THE CUTEST!!!!

Julia V

4:58 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

I hope I'm not too late. My vote is for Jake and Liz

james gardner

5:02 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

i second Ed's vote. he is a smart man so i vote for Liz and Jake

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