COSTA MESA, Calif. — Roses are red. Violets are blue. But for this Valentine's Day, how about something new? How about a personalized, virtual singing gram from a group of kids? That's what a nonprofit based in Orange County plans to do for those who can't be with loved ones this Valentine's Day.
It will be a virtual video Valentine's Day singing telegram. The singers are all kids in the Orange County area, including 9-year-old Adrian Padilla. He's been busy rehearsing the song. He sang, "'L' is for the way you look at me."
The third-grader is already a crooner. And he was singing a classic love song from way before his time, just in time for Valentine's Day.
He said Valentine's day is "a day where people look for love." Embarrassed after saying that, Adrian covered his eyes with his hands. Love is a topic the third-graders aren't exactly into talking about. But he's OK singing about it.
"Ever since I heard my first song, I just thought I love it," he said. "I need to sing!"
And for Valentine's Day this year, he's singing for those who can't see their loved ones because of the pandemic.
"I like making people happy," Adrian said.
The 9-year-old is one of about a dozen kids who are students of the nonprofit Young Singers of Orange County. The nonprofit was formed to inspire kids to appreciate the arts and teach them about the importance of community service. The group has performed at various community events in Orange County since 2009, including the Balboa Island Tree Lighting.
This Valentine's Day, with the pandemic canceling many events the nonprofit would have performed at, they've decided to do something special to celebrate the day of love. Something that could be shared virtually.
The nonprofit's choir director, Alex Nikolaev, said the kids were asked to record themselves singing "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole. The high school senior said the videos would be edited into a virtual Valentine's Day gram and then distributed to some senior living homes in the Orange County and Long Beach areas.
"Imagine not being able to actually physically interact or be with your loved ones, or you know friends or stuff like that, for over a year," Nikolaev said. "That's a crazy long time. And we hope that by recording this and providing a virtual performance of sorts, we can bring more smiles to people like that."
He said the video would also be provided to Children's Hospital Orange County to share with patients. Nikolaev said he hopes when people see this Valentine's Day video, he hopes that "you feel a sense of warmth… inside."
Adrian said he hopes the singing virtual Valentine's Day gift will also help people feel happy and forget about COVID-19 for a moment.
"Every cloud has a silver lining," the 9-year-old said. No matter how bad things can get, they always can get better."
The Young Singers of Orange County Valentine's Singing Telegram can also be sent to someone special for a donation. The purchased videos, which start at $5 for each recipient, will be sent on Valentine's Day morning.