Every year we ask our readers to let us know where the sexiest people in Seattle can be found--and every year we get complaints about the categories on our Sexiest People in Seattle ballot. Here's a representative complaint: "Why are all the categories in your Sexiest issue jobs that young people typically hold?" writes Mark Fefer, an outraged reader. "It's all baristas, waiters, personal trainers, and bike messengers. How come you're not looking for sexy lawyers, doctors, editors, and Mariners?"

Well, Mark, we'll tell you why: Baristas, waiters, personal trainers, and bike messengers tend to be YOUNG, and lawyers, doctors, editors, and Mariners tend to be OLD. And in case you haven't heard, Mark, YOUNG is sexy and OLD is not. Yes, yes: Older folks can be "hot," but people over 30 rarely drip with that still-reeling-from-puberty, easily manipulated, show-me-the-ropes brand of sexiness that people in their late teens and 20s possess in motherfucking spades. And come on, old folks! You run the friggin' world! You hire and fire young people! You send young people off to die in wars! Old people have disposable incomes, credit cards, fast cars, and POWER. Can't you let the young have sexy all to themselves? Do you have to snatch that away from them too?

Alongside the Sexiest People in Seattle, you will find THOUSANDS OF VALENTINES from Stranger readers to their true loves. The Stranger has always loved love, and every year we prove it by printing (free of charge!) small and sometimes sickeningly sweet love notes from our readers. Our annual valentines issue has become so popular with Seattle's lovestruck residents that we can't fit all the valentines in one place--so you'll find reader valentines all over this issue, from the letters page to the last page. Aw, ain't love grand?

Well, no, it isn't always grand. Sometimes love stinks. So you're single? Dumped days before the biggest, pinkest holiday in the calendar? Well, The Stranger still loves you--and we don't want you to be miserable this Valentine's Day! So come on down to our Annual Pre-Valentine's Day Bash. Bring a memento of a failed relationship you're having a hard time getting over to Re-bar on Wednesday, February 13, and we will do what we can to help you heal! You'll get to share your sad story with a sympathetic crowd and then a crack team of trained professionals will destroy your memento live on stage. At previous bashes, we've melted down engagement rings, smashed crockery, shredded divorce papers, and set fire to wedding dresses. It's always a blast and this year's Bash should be the best ever. And, single folks, don't forget: The Bash is always packed with single, vulnerable people the night before Valentine's Day. If you don't want to be alone on Valentine's Day, come to the Bash and you might meet someone who feels the same way you do.

--Dan Savage

special thanks to sexy photographers:

David Belisle, Casey Kelbaugh, Annie Marie Musselman, Victoria Renard, and Adam L. Weintraub