Good and bad dates: If we’re lucky, we’ve had more of the former than the latter.

It always made me laugh when my mom would tell the story of a man who invited her over for pizza. When she showed up, he offered one option: cheese pizza with anchovies. Not only did she not like anchovies, but he didn’t ask if she did. They never went out again.

With this in mind, I’d love to know about your best, worst or most memorable date. Or what would be a perfect date for you? Whatever comes to mind, I’d love to know.

Please make it a six-word story, a personal short story, with a beginning, middle and end.

Make us laugh or cry or at the least feel something. For an example, here is the famous story attributed to, but not proven to be written by, Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” That’s quite the story! Need more examples? “It can’t be. I’m a virgin,” writes Kate Atkinson. “Set sail, great storm, all lost,” says John Banville.

If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:

• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line

• Send one six-word story. Just one

• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email, no attachments

• Write your short story in the body of the email, no attachments

• Use proper punctuation and spelling

• Use sentence style in one line

• Do not submit six adjectives — that’s not a story

Please send to lifestyles@marinij.com by March 14 and look for it in the March 25 lifestyles section and online.

Recently, we asked IJ readers to share what love means to them. Here’s what they had to say.

Love, family, memories, gone, remembering, reborn. — Christine von Atzigen Sugrue, Corte Madera

Reality is better than your dreams. — Ed Ryken, Novato

Forty-eighth anniversary is not long enough. — John Hanson, Novato

Ask God: show you his love! — Michael Ardito, Fairfax

The sweetest sound is Peaches’ purr. — Caley Guida, Ross

Without love, I trust in God. — Frieda W. Zolan, San Rafael

Love flows through me, to me. — Linda Varonin, Corte Madera

Hold me, still, beyond death’s walls. — Lisa Parker, Mill Valley

Contentment, harmony, acceptance, openness, endurance, hugs. — Maya Moran Manny, San Rafael

True love found; Marguerite, sadly lost. — Vince Mueller, San Rafael

Hearts can expand! Invite others in! — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur

Love like a glove holding you. — Olivia Ruel, San Rafael

I love my husband to death. — Heike Dittrich-Kruljac, Corte Madera

Amazing, blessed surprise with lifetime gratitude. — Antoinette DeLucchi, San Rafael

Love is an unanticipated honest compliment. — Newton Harband, San Rafael

Love always comes when most needed. — Phoebe Moyer, Greenbrae

Fifty-four years married, but immeasurable love. — Elaine C. Johnson, Greenbrae

Beguiled, mesmerized, love at first sight. — Lorraine Peters, San Rafael

She feared love: gravesite never visited. — David Reinstein, San Anselmo

Idolized older brother: taught me everything! — Gigi Zavagno, Novato

Awed by Bolinas sunrise every day. — Melinda Griffith, Bolinas

Love: in sickness and in health. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City

Wandering albatrosses are monogamous. You, too? — Ian Begg, Corte Madera

Love at first sight. Partners forever. — Pam Hyer, Novato

High school sweethearts, married, happy family. — Diane Ackerman, San Rafael

Be a Philadelphia Eagle — choose love. — Cynthia Sapp, Terra Linda

Love is fire, scorching, scaring, saving. — Sean Owens, Point Reyes

Great marriage — deceased husband was wonderful. — Marie Lazzari, Novato

Distance fades, family love grows stronger. — Cheryl Paddack, Novato

Love in our friendship is everlasting. — Fritzi Winnick, San Rafael

1980: We met. I’m still smitten. — Sandy Magid, Novato

Read and incorporate 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV). — Karen Hazlehurst, San Rafael

Love fills the heart and soul. — Steve Loyd, Novato

Yours were the best kisses ever! — Jeri Sternenberg, Mill Valley

Love conquers all except motorcycle mania. — Rose Magri, San Rafael

George, save a dance for me. — Ann Woodward, Greenbrae

Sweet Hilda, passed suddenly. Love endures. — Robert Harrison, Tiburon

Forty-two years married to best friend. — the Rev. George McLaird, Tiburon

Yet, love is difficult to define. — Hank Simmonds, Kentfield

He protected her while she sunbathed. — Mike Forbes, Venetia Valley

Lucky to be surrounded by love. — Madeline Kellner, Novato

Power outage, digits exchanged, hand adorned. — B A Wolfe, Kentfield

1968: found love on blind date. — George Juilly, Novato

Sharing affection, admiration, laughs, kindness: Adi! — Ron Skellenger, Woodacre

Sixty years ago and now together. — Margot Jasie, Larkspur

We all love talking about love. — John Neuenburg, San Rafael

Deepest feelings: often difficult, but lovely. — Billie Forer, San Rafael

Love is loyal, encircling and constant. — Joy Phoenix, San Rafael

Love myself, cats, trees, music, you! — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley

Love all animals, don’t eat them! — Evelyn Riebe, Mill Valley

Jesus loves me, this I know. — Gigi Bibeault, Terra LindaMy lover never blows his leaves. — Mary Geving, Woodacre

Love, a morning kiss with coffee. — Janet Lee Benjamin, Tiburon

Turkey jack sandwich sealed the deal. — Tom Cheap, San Rafael

Bill! Love walked in at 60! — Susan Storch, Greenbrae

I loved. You listened. We loved. — Penn Mullin, San Rafael

Seen, cherished, filled with great feeling. — Beth Zamichow, San Rafael

Caregiving for mom; pure unconditional love. — Katherine Ware, Kentfield

Long, loving happiness, then grieving loss. — Dottie Breiner, San Rafael

Cute, slim, blond. Sixty years love. — Larry Rich, San Rafael

Love lasted until death parted us. — John M. King, San Rafael

Love through good and hard times. — David Leipsic, San Rafael

I’m basking in wife’s flowing love. — Rip Anzalone, Novato

Love after 40 years grows stronger! — Mary Ann Farnsworth, Novato

Love is a golden retriever puppy! — Ann Troy, San Anselmo

Love Marin Financial Abuse Specialist Team. — Diane Cokely, San Anselmo

Rainy haze, sick days — with Mom. — Lily Hayes, Tam Valley

Love is remarrying your former wife. — Elliott Wolf, San Rafael

Loving yourself invites love from others. — Dave Powell, Novato

Love: Can it really ever end? — Kate Martin, San Rafael

She led, they dared — all soared. — Casondra Webb, Novato

Beloved toddler conquering brain cancer. Ecstasy! — Jenny Wood, Mill Valley

Our dog just is: We love. — Dave Myles, San Rafael

Love to all, great and small. — Peter Yolles, Belvedere

Having fun together. Captured in photos. — Victoria Worch, Novato

The best four-letter word ever. — Sharon Eide, Novato

WildCare shows love for all animals. — Kermit R. Kubitz, Larkspur

Head high, dog proudly walking owner. — Patrice O’Dwyer, Tiburon

Cuddly arms, tightly entwined, around grandma’s. — A. Jane Cavu, Tiburon

Taking each other to the doctor. — Mike Menius, Bel Marin Keys, Novato

Cheap date, Broadway date, life date. — Micha Berman, San Anselmo

Love can survive, keep romance alive. — Ralph Mason, Larkspur

A loving sister who forgave me. — Martin Coyne, San Rafael

Love is a many splintered thing. — Mary Ann Gallardo, San Rafael

It’s why we’re here: to love. — Cece Jonsen, Novato

I love waking up each morning. — Lois Wise, Novato

Bottoms up, published photos family homes. — Karen Arnold, San Rafael

Where there’s smoke there’s fire: Help! — Sarah Forsman

Although she died, her love lives. — Richard Schneider, San Rafael

Loving friendships make life worth living. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato

Love is scarce for Brussels sprouts. — Bruce Donals, Fairfax

Valentine’s 50th anniversary. Still in love. — Frank Ridley, San Rafael