Ah, love. It’s in the air! Call us hopeless romantics, but we absolutely adore Valentine’s Day. Hearts, poems, candy, flowers— the season of love is packed with so many special symbols that fill us with warmth. Still, nothing quite embodies the spirit of this enchanting holiday like a great love story. Just in time to celebrate, we’re putting the spotlight on two BlackBerry lovebirds. Recently, Julie, one half of our BlackBerry duo, took to our Facebook Page to share her amazing BlackBerry love story with the world.

Julie and Andrew* first met in England, where their love story began. After exchanging a few flirtatious BBM messages, their relationship took off and the two quickly became inseparable. Sadly, when Julie moved back to Canada to be with her family, the pair thought that their love story was over…until BBM brought them back together! Our hearts melted when we read Julie’s incredibly sweet story about how BBM rekindled their romance and helped bridge the distance across an ocean.

We were so moved, in fact, that we’re bending the rules a little bit and crowning this adorable BlackBerry couple as our BlackBerry Fans of the Month for February. Team BlackBerry, please join us in congratulating Julie (@Jules_Kernal) and Andrew! If you thought their love story was swoon-worthy, just wait until you see what they had to say in response to our questions:

1. How many years have you two been on Team BlackBerry?

I have been a part of Team BlackBerry since 2008; I think Andrew has been a Team BlackBerry member since at least 2007, he says he can’t remember off hand – but he is now a convert, with at least 2 BlackBerry devices at any given time!

2. How many BlackBerry devices have each of you had in total? Could you list them all out for us?

For me, I first fell in love with BlackBerry when it still had the Chicken game (any chance you’re bringing that back?). As for my devices I’ve had the BlackBerry Curve 8900, the original BlackBerry Bold 9000 and then the BlackBerry Torch 9800, which combines the touch screen and QWERTY keyboard in one – and my BlackBerry PlayBook tablet! Andrew has had the BlackBerry Bold 9900, the BlackBerry Torch 9800 and the BlackBerry Torch 9810, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and then this really old one he cannot remember and his BlackBerry PlayBook tablet that he takes everywhere!

3. How many BBM contacts do you two have collectively?

I have 32, Andrew has 81, so collectively 115 though we tend to use one contact more than all the others!

4. What are your favorite BBM emoticons? Do you use emoticons often when you BBM each other?

I like the smiley face. It’s easy, to the point and universal. Oh and I use the hug one, too. I probably use the smiley face and the heart with Andrew the most. Andrew uses emoticons ALL the time, I think his “most used” with me are the heart (aww) the big happy face , the angry one ~:-) when we are discussing frustrating issues (outside of our relationship) and the /:) which I call the “really?” face, as it is always in response to an interesting point he wants me to elaborate on.

5. Which one of you sent the first BBM to the other? What did it say? What response did you receive in return?

The first BBM?! Truthfully, we wracked our brains and don’t remember exactly, but I think it was probably me and said “Look who’s got BBM! xx” (before then I had been texting from another phone I later got rid of) and I am 90% sure there was a emoticon kiss as a response!

6. Julie, tell us about the best BBM you’ve ever received from Andrew. Your turn Andrew, tell us about the best BBM you’ve ever received from Julie.

I think I have two that are tied. The first was when he sort of said he loved me via BBM; I believe it went something like “I love it, and you”; not the most romantic way to say it for the first time, but most certainly memorable. The second was the BBM I received when we had been apart for so long. I think it simply said: “Hello. I miss you, can I call you?” But it meant the world to me at the time.

Andrew says that “all” of my BBMs to him are the best (aww, how cute).

7. Julie, if you could BBM your BlackBerry, what would you say? And what about you, Andrew?

I would say “A thousand times, thank you for being my life line, my knowledgeable companion and my reminder of all things important. Thank you for capturing amazing life moments and lighting my way in the dark. I’m sorry if I don’t tell you enough – You are Ah-mazing!” I hope my BlackBerry would respond with a Happy Face! (Maybe the new BlackBerry Z10 could actually say “you’re welcome” with Voice Control!)

Andrew: “Thanks mate.”

8. Julie, we also know that you’re an actress. Any upcoming debuts we should be looking out for?

Actually, I’ll be in a commercial coming up this spring!

9. What did you two think about the launch of BlackBerry 10? Did any announcement in particular stand out?

I was so excited about the launch! I have been WAITING for this. As an avid Team BlackBerry member, I did not wish to stray from my trustworthy BlackBerry, though my current one (well-loved and used!) is slowly aging and becoming less reliable (due to overuse, I am sure). The new features of BlackBerry 10 encompass all the things I want in a new phone and more – the camera feature means no more eyes closed!! I have been talking about it to Andrew for months – to the point where I was most certainly telling him things he already knew!

10. And finally, we just have to ask: Are you two prepared to handle the fame that comes with being our Fans of the Month?

Oh I think we can handle it! We are just happy to be a part of the Team and for the opportunity express our thanks to BlackBerry for creating their products. We both use it as a lifeline to each other and our families. Without it, we would not be together now.

*Name has been changed to respect privacy requests.

Be sure to check out the other awesome members of the BlackBerry Fan of the Month (FOTM) club:

January – Brian (@newshutr)
February – Ivan (@IvanSHarris)
March – Jane (@photosfromabb)
April – Josh (@BBbrodyBB)
May - Mark (@AllAboutMyBB)
June – JT (@jt_teran)
July – Kimberly (@kmcooley)
August – Mike (@flash0p)
September – Jon (@nerdologist_jon)
October – Guido (@FuriousGuido)
November – Ange (@Afl2277)
December – Zalman (@Zalman5K)
January 2013 – Arisham (@arisham2003)

Do you have your own BlackBerry love story? We’d love to hear it! Share it with the world by posting on our Facebook Page or in the comment section below.

Keep sharing your FOTM suggestions with us, either by leaving a comment below, tweeting to us @BlackBerry on Twitter, or posting on our Facebook page. Stay tuned – our March FOTM could be YOU!

A new year means new resolutions, new possibilities, and, of course, a new BlackBerry Fan of the Month (FOTM)! To go along with our recent trend of featuring fans from all over the globe, this month we’re putting the spotlight on a dedicated member of Team BlackBerry who hails from Kuala Lumpur.

Our January FOTM is what you might call a “true renaissance man.” He’s a gadget-loving IT specialist with a passion for traveling, hiking, mountain climbing, fishing AND martial arts (phew!) who loves spending time with his wife, kids and his three cats, who he affectionately refers to as his “furry kids”. When he’s not out conquering the world, this family man is known to lend a helping hand to BlackBerry users all around the world in person, over BBM, on Twitter and on the BlackBerry Malaysia Facebook Page. He also has his own Facebook page dedicated to sharing BlackBerry news, providing solutions and debating different topics with other fans!

With that, I’m pleased to introduce you all to our January FOTM, Arisham (@arisham2003). Read on to learn more about his journey on Team BlackBerry.

1. How many years have you been on Team BlackBerry?

I’ve been on #TeamBlackBerry since 2008. Since then I’ve been actively helping to answer BlackBerry questions from all around the globe.

2. How many BlackBerry devices have you had in total? Could you list them all out for us?

9! BlackBerry Bold 9000, BlackBerry Bold 9700, BlackBerry Bold 9790, BlackBerry Curve 8310, BlackBerry Curve 8520, BlackBerry Curve 9300, BlackBerry Storm 9520, BlackBerry PlayBook tablet (2). My next one (No. 10) should be a BlackBerry 10 device!

3. How many BBM contacts do you have?

More than 500 contacts from around the globe.

4. What is your favorite BBM emoticon?

*Running* – It’s my trademark.

5. Tell us about the best BBM you’ve ever received. What did it say and who was it from?

It was a BBM from a Brazilian user that reached me at 3:00am (Malaysia time). He needed help on reinstalling his OS. I guided him through until 5:00am. He then realized that it was late in the morning Malaysia time! We became good friends after that.

6. If you could BBM your BlackBerry, what would you say? How do you think your BlackBerry would respond?

I’d say, “Hi love, thank you for being loyal and for serving me sincerely.” She’d probably say “I’m yours, darling!”

7. Do you have an all-time favorite BlackBerry memory? If so, we’d love to hear about it.

I found a BlackBerry in public restroom. After a few calls, I managed to find the owner of the BlackBerry Bold 9700. I then returned the BlackBerry and said, “Only a BlackBerry lover would return a BlackBerry to the owner…‘cause we know how it feels to lose it!”

8. When did you start actively answering BlackBerry questions from other users on Twitter and Facebook?

I’ve been answering questions from many forums and Facebook Pages since 2008 and have been the resident fan that answers questions on the BlackBerry Malaysia Facebook page since the day the page launched. Twitter users can follow me at @arisham2003. I’ve been tweeting since February 15, 2010.

9. What made you decide to create a Facebook page dedicated to BlackBerry?

I love BlackBerry and I want all people to know news about it. With Facebook I can share my thoughts and carefully answer fans or debate certain topics. You can reach me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/powerfanarisham.

10. What was the most challenging BlackBerry-related support question you’ve ever resolved?

There was one user, she wasn’t a technie and she had hardly used any IT devices. The BlackBerry was given to her by her good friend and her BlackBerry OS corrupted. I carefully guided her step-by-step and did my best to keep her calm. We finally made it! She treated me for a nice coffee a few days after that.

11. What is the #1 BlackBerry tip you’d like to share with fellow BlackBerry users?

You own THE BEST smartphone. In time of need, BBM! We listen.

12. We love that you’re excited for the launch of BlackBerry 10. Which features are you MOST excited to try?

I love Blackberry HUB and the awesome new design paradigmI. Not to forget, the fluid virtual keyboard! Every time I go to sleep, I wish tomorrow is January 30, 2013!

13. Your Twitter bio says that you are an IT Specialist and a Martial Arts practitioner. Are those hobbies or do you do them professionally?

I’m an IT Specialist. I specialized in Document Management System prior to that. I have been a programmer for the last 15 years. I hold a Black Belt in Silat (Malay martial art). I’ve practiced it since I was 7 years old.

14. We also know that you’re a cat lover. Could you tell us more about when you were a CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Ambassador?

I love to speak to people and teach them about cat care and cat shows. I also help spread the benefits of cat neutering to people. I also advise people on how to differentiate between pedigrees and long/semi-long hair cats and why people shouldn’t buy cats from backyard breeders.

I’ve owned Maine Coons, Norwegians and Siberians. I was the first in Asia to own a complete ‘Forest Cat’.

15. And finally, we just have to ask: Are you prepared to handle the fame that comes with being our Fan of the Month?

My martial art guru used to say, “Fame and Knowledge came with responsibility. Knowledge is powerful, Spread it!”

I would like to thank every man and woman who dedicated make a BlackBerry to what it is nowadays. To you guys in Inside BlackBerry for the wonderful conversation, love you! And not to forget, to all BlackBerry believers around the world…#BeBold!

Be sure to check out the other awesome members of the BlackBerry Fan of the Month club:

January – Brian (@newshutr)
February – Ivan (@IvanSHarris)
March – Jane (@photosfromabb)
April – Josh (@BBbrodyBB)
May - Mark (@AllAboutMyBB)
June – JT (@AgentBlackBerry)
July – Kimberly (@kmcooley)
August – Mike (@flash0p)
September – Jon (@nerdologist_jon)
October – Guido (@FuriousGuido)
November – Ange (@Afl2277)

December – Zalman (@Zalman5K)

Keep sharing your FOTM suggestions with us, either by leaving a comment below, tweeting to us @BlackBerry on Twitter, or posting on our Facebook page. Stay tuned – our February 2013 FOTM could be YOU!