Valentine's Day celebrates love in all forms, and long-lasting love will be honored at a Senior Sweetheart Tea at Paramount Senior Living at Lancaster County, 2760 Maytown Road, Maytown.

The event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., and it's open all seniors living in the 98th District, the home district of State Rep. Tom Jones, who is organizing the party.

"My parents have been married 53 years, and my chief of staff's parents will celebrate 65 years of marriage in March," Jones said, noting that he feels a personal connection to seniors who have been married for a long time. "It's close to home for us, so honoring the life, love and commitment to marriage in our community is important."

The party will feature music, refreshments and a performance by dancers from Exhaltt Performing Arts Academy in Elizabethtown. Students will perform to a piano rendition of "Tea for Two."

Information on free state resources offered to seniors will be available as well.

Jones will also honor everyone in attendance who has been married for more than 50 years.

"All seniors in the 98th District are welcome to join us," he emphasized, noting that it's not just for residents of Paramount. "If your sweetheart is no longer with us, I would welcome you to bring a picture of them, so I can honor the commitment you shared." The 98th District covers parts of Lancaster and Lebanon counties, including Mount Joy, Elizabethtown and Marietta.

Jones hosted a senior expo in October, and he plans to hold a second one this coming fall, but this is the first Senior Sweetheart Tea he's organized.

"I am always looking for new opportunities to connect with and interact with constituents," he stated. "So, when I heard about a similar senior event, I wanted to bring that same outreach back to our district."

Cindy Wivell, admissions and marketing manager for Paramount, invited Jones to speak at a veterans' event in November, and when Jones had the idea to host a Valentine's Day party for seniors, he reached out to her. "Cindy is passionate about what she does and loves celebrating seniors," Jones said.

The party serves a purpose more than just fun, Wivell said.

"It's important for seniors especially to get out and make connections in their community," she explained. "This event offers multiple benefits to its attendees, from having an easy opportunity to speak in person to their local state representative to simply offering a great atmosphere to socialize, connect and also celebrate Valentine's Day in a special way."

The Senior Sweetheart Tea is free, but reservations are required by Wednesday, Feb. 7. To make a reservation, call 717-367-5525.