Love, romance and flowers are in the air and the youth group at Hermiston First United Methodist church is doing their part to keep Valentine’s romance alive.

Guido’s Diner opens it’s doors once a year for fine Italian dining with a romantic atmosphere the Saturday before Valentine’s day to serve church members and the community.

The unique Valentine’s dining experience is the primary fund raiser for the United Methodist Youth Group. Youth group members spent Saturday decorating and cooking spaghetti for the dinner.

Miranda Hunt, youth group member, her mother, Becky, and Sedona Cassevah, youth group advisor, set up tables at the church decorated with white cloths, red place mats, silk red roses and candles. The room was lit with strings of small white lights and candle to set the romantic mood, Sedona Cassevah said. Red and white streamers draped from the ceiling across the room courtesy of K.P. and Jordan Pawley, youth group members.

Mikal Bolin, 17, has helped for the past four years, but sad to miss this years event, she said.

“I like the fact that this is a place for people in the community and church to go for a romantic Valentine’s, dinner” Bolin said. “The youth group serves the dinner in courses with candlelight.”

The proceeds from the dinner will be used to send the youth group members to “Shebang” this Saturday in Fossil and for other retreats and youth group activities.