Por Jen Van Tieghem

You knew it was coming when you saw pink teddy bears and heart-shaped boxes of crappy chocolates in the grocery store two days after Christmas. You saw the impending date on that calendar as your significant other inquired about “plans.” Yet, here we are two weeks from Valentine’s Day and you haven’t purchased a card, made a reservation or ordered red roses. But before you fling conversation hearts at your lover whilst begging for forgiveness, give these options a peep. And skip the roses, bud, so cliché.

Did your sweetheart set some fitness goals for 2015? Here’s a good way to support them whether you walk/run along or wait at the finish line with a hunk of chocolate cake: the Fourth Annual 2015 Jump Start Your Heart 5k Walk/Run on Valentine’s Day starting at 9 a.m. Registration is $35 on or before Jan. 31 and $40 from Feb. 1 through race day. It’s open to all ages with proceeds donated to The Children’s Heart Foundation, which works to bring health, hope and happiness to children with congenital heart defects. The race starts at Mission Bay Park (2688 East Mission Bay Drive). Get more information at jumpstartyourheartsd.com.

If your cuddle bug is into the culinary arts, Hipcooks San Diego (4048 30th St., North Park) has classes for couples that will warm the heart and tummy. “A Romantic Dinner for Two” parts I, II and III will be offered Feb. 12 (6:30 – 9 p.m.), 13 (6 – 9 p.m.) and 14 (5 – 8 p.m.) for $60 each. Participants will create menus that include appetizers, entrees and, of course, desserts. Plus each menu includes a wine pairing. I’m partial to part II’s menu on Valentine’s Day eve with Caldeirada — seafood stew — followed by chocolate soufflé with raspberry cream, among other items. Note: The menu on Feb. 12 is vegetarian if your love doesn’t love meat. Visit sandiego.hipcooks.com for more info or to book a spot.

Musically minded folks have lots of V-Day options. Folkey Monkey is hosting “All You Need is Love III” at Vision: A Center for Spiritual Living (6154 Mission Gorge Road, Suite 100, Grantville). The pre-Valentine’s show will feature love songs by The Beatles on Feb. 12 performed in three song sets by Michael Tiernan, Peter Bolland, Patty Hall, Joe Rathburn and more. Tickets are $20 and available at folkeymonkey.com.

98 Botellas (2400 Kettner Blvd., #110, Little Italy) has The Benedetti Trio on Feb. 14 performing a collection of love songs dubbed “Love Through the Ages.” Tickets are $12 online and can be purchased at 98bottlelessd.com.

My two loves will collide at el amante del vino (3968 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest) on V-day starting at 7 p.m.: music and cheese. They’ll be serving flights of bubbly for $20, a full cheese bar for $10 and love song and breakup song covers by Rosewood and Rye and Gabriela Aparicio for free. Visit thewineloversd.com for more info.

If you’re thinking outside of the heart-shaped box this year, Pink Booxbox Production’s Post Apocalipstick Romance at 10 p.m at The Merrow (1271 Merrow Ave., Hillcrest) will celebrate the holiday with “flesh-eating zombies, tea parties gone wrong, fire and ghoulish babes.” If a “Burlesque Circus Show” piques your curiosity, general admission is $10, and $50 will get you and a date a table for two and a bottle champagne. Get tickets at postapocalipstick.bpt.me.

Have you always wanted to send a singing telegram? I didn’t know this existed outside of sitcoms, but Sun Harbor Barbershop Quartet will be delivering singing valentines anywhere in San Diego County on Feb. 13 and 14. For $45 you’ll get a four-hour window for delivery (9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1 – 5 p.m. and 5 – 9 p.m. are available) with a song, an “everlasting rose” and a personalized card going to your honeybear. Pick the delivery location — your sweetie’s home or office — and leave the rest to the singing professionals. Visit brownpapertickets.com/event/1158697 to arrange this unique V-Day surprise.

Choose wisely, lover boys and girls. Or you’ll have to hear about it for the next 365 days.

—Contact Jen Van Tieghem at [email protected].