WORCESTER, Mass. - On Valentine's Day, people in Worcester took the opportunity to show appreciation for loved ones, seniors and veterans with flowers, cards and acts of kindness. 

Customers lined up early at Perro's Flowers, where Javon Johnston was buying a dozen red roses. He said chocolates are a must as well, and this year he's making sure to go all out for a special milestone. 

"The flowers are for my wife, it's our first Valentine's Day as a married couple," Johnston said. "We married back in October, so it should be special. I think it's a day to really show the person you love how much you love them."

For some people, Valentine's Day was spent ensuring others have their special moment. At Holmes-Shusas Florist, part-time delivery driver Chuck Divoris said he loves to be a part of the celebration, especially when it's a surprise. 

"The best is when they're in a cafeteria at a nursing home and the person gets it, all the other people are just clamoring around to see why they got it," Divoris said. 

Worcester also showed some love for its veterans on Valentines Day. For the past few weeks, the Worcester Historical Museum had been asking visitors to write a card, and they were delivered to Veterans Inc.

"We were able to collect quite a substantial amount and delivered them yesterday to the veterans' shelter," said Eleanor Houbre, director of membership and special events at the museum. 

Veteran Brique Freeman spent his Valentine's Day ensuring those cards had a proper display, hanging them up in the shape of a heart near the Veterans Inc. cafeteria. 

"It's inspirational, and a lot of their thoughts and hearts were in so many of them," Freeman said. "I love the artistic ability that they created with."

Ray Carville, government affairs specialist for Veterans Inc., said it was an important and powerful gesture from the community. 

"It's just an amazing treat for the veterans that are staying with us," Carville said. "It reminds them that they're an important part of the community and someone is thinking of them on a special day like this that sometimes we all take for granted."