New Love born on Valentine's Day

Love was born in Carson City on Valentine's Day.

She weighed 7 lbs., 10 oz.

The girl her mother called a "special Valentine's gift," was delivered at 9:13 a.m. Thursday. The baby, Malia Jade Love, is the first child of Leland Love, 36, and Bethany Love, 32.

The Gardnerville couple have already heard nicknames.

"Cupid, Valentine's baby, all that," Leland said.

They had told their families during the pregnancy they expected the baby Feb. 14.

Bethany and Leland took turns holding the baby Friday in their hospital room at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

The baby was wrapped in a pink blanket. Pink gift bags sat beside them. A pink balloon floated in the air.Photo:16919723,left;

Bethany pointed out the baby's long eyelashes and full head of dark brown hair.

The parents said they had hoped the baby would be born on its due date, and were happy that it was a girl.

Leland said he's had enough trouble with his last name without a Valentine's Day birthday.

"You tell some girl your last name is Love," he said, "and she tells you to pull your driver's license out. It's not a believable story."

Bethany agreed a Valentine's Day birthday would "jinx" a boy, but said she didn't mind Leland's last name.

"I just got lucky with the person," she said, "and the name kind of fell into place."

The name for a girl, though, "it's much sweeter, it's much nicer," Leland said.

The baby's birthday will add another story for the Love family and their name. Leland is already sometimes called "Dr. Love," in reference to the KISS song.

They said friends soon pointed out that there is also a KISS song called "Beth."