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Who is Santee's Cutest Couple? The Paynes!

I am pleased to announce Jayson & Erika Lin Payne as Santee's Cutest Couple of 2012!!

 
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I may have set the bar a little high with this photo, but I can't win anyway! -Steven

The Paynes win with 55 votes! Thanks for uploading and voting, especially Mike and Kelli Dayton who came in second with an oh-so-close 54 votes. Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and to share a bit of sweetness and love, Santee is holding a Cutest Couple Contest.

Are you friends with one of the city's cutest couples? Are you part of a pair of lovebirds? We want to hear from you! Submit your photos of the adorable couple to steven.bartholow@patch.com or by uploading them to this article. Be sure to include the names so we can announce a winner. At least one person from each couple must live in Santee.

The winning couple gets the cred of being the Cutest Couple in town for the next year and we'll send you a certificate to prove it!

How to vote: Once photos have been submitted, Santee readers can vote for their favorite couple by commenting on this post with the names of their pick.

Deadline: Voting closes at 7 p.m. on Feb. 14. Photos must be submitted soon for the voting to begin. At least two entries are needed to select a winner.

Help spread the word by posting this story to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Related Topics: Contest, Love, and Valentine's Day

Robert English

1:36 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Dennis Shackelton and Lori Meaux

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Rob McNelis

3:56 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

I like the photo of Me and John Minto. That is just wrong to have us in this category, but very very funny!!

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You Know Reno

7:03 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Credit: You Know Reno = Ryan & Reno Stacy (can't figure out how to add our names) but I would have to say we are the cutest couple in Santee, not that I'm biased LOL :)

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Electra Hale

7:55 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Paula Mc Calester and hubby are the cutest and sweetest couple in Santee for sure!!!

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Jenny

8:33 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Roberta & Jeff Cremeans for sure :)

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Mary Perkins

8:59 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

I vote for Roberta and Jeff Cremens! Couple number 13

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Jennifer Beckenbach

9:02 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Jeff and roberta cremeans for sure : )

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clarence maestas

9:04 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

The cremens have my vote!!! Couple 13

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Merfit

9:40 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Jeff & Roberta Cremeans favorite & cutest couple!!!

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Nikki List

9:41 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

The cremens have my vote!!! Couple 13

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Heather Fox

10:20 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Look at those Cremeans, CUTENESS! (pic #13)

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Stephanie Kerns Simpson

11:57 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Roberta and Jeff Cremeans are totally the cutest couple in Santee!!

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Jennifer McVey

9:31 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Couple #14 have it all - cute AND (more importantly) SWEET! Go, Erika and Jayson!

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Zanna Nelson

9:31 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jayson and Erika Payne. You just cannot get any cuter than those two. Plus they are beautiful inside as well.

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Leslie Stover

9:41 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jayson and Erika Payne!! Not only are they the cutest couple, they are beautiful inside as well!!

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Erica

10:02 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Couple #14 all the way!! Jayson & Erika Lin Payne. SO CUTE and always so FULL of Santee pride!

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SanteeMom

10:13 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jayson and Erika Payne #14!!!

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Melonie

12:11 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Toss up between 5 and 6....., but I'll go with 5 since I actually know half the couple and just had to include a vote that didn't transpire from spamming friends and family across the U.S. to vote LOL! But, oompa loompa w/ a beer gut? Someone must be seeing things...weird.

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Trevor C

12:16 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

#14 Jayson and Erika Payne are CUTEST FOR SURE!

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Crystal Payne

12:52 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

#14 The House of Payne is definitely the cutest!! Yay Jayson & Erika!

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Amanda Jo

12:59 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jayson and Erika Payne! #14!!!

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Joe Spencer

1:59 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Hmmmm....#6 is sure a tough couple to beat here in Santee....but I think I'd have to vote for the Payne's....

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Carolina Venegas

2:15 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Roberta and Jeff #13 cutest couple!!

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Jennifer Barker

3:26 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Mike and Kelli (or is it Barbie and Ken) #17 gets my vote...

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Wendy Chase Beacom

3:30 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Mike and Kelli are the cutest couple for sure #17!!!

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linda wheeler

4:03 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

I vote for #18 best ever couple rod and Margaret. Bobo

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Margaret Bobo

9:20 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

your the best tell travis I need all the help I can get

Donna Minnig

4:11 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

My vote is for #17 Mike and Kelli

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Tammy

6:03 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Kelli and Mike Dayton are sooooo cute!

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kyle hoop

8:17 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Kelli and mike are the best they're my mommy and daddy :)

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Kelli Russell Dayton

8:20 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Awww Thanks Kyle :) Love ya Son!!!

Nannette Roessler

8:45 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Cuties couple for sure #17 mike & kelli dayton

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Eva Farr

10:36 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

My vote is for Couple #17, Kelli and Mike!!!

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Kelli Russell Dayton

9:27 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thanks Kel <3 Love you my 2nd daughter :)

Doug Curlee

8:05 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

i lost count on the numbers.. but whatever number the young couple dressed up for the prom is, they got my vote..

doug

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Grant

8:22 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

#17 Mike and Kelli Dayton!

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Kelli Russell Dayton

10:24 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

Awww Thank you Tiffany...all the way from Jersey :)

P Mike Dayton

10:52 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

I vote for Me and my wonderful wife
Mike and Kelli Dayton #17

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Kelli Russell Dayton

12:37 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thanks Hun! You are the the most wonderful hubby!!!

kathy

11:06 am on Monday, February 13, 2012

#17 for sure.. they are the cutest couple ever.. Mike and Kelli Dayton!!

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alicia

12:03 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

no doubt, the best couple hands up, down and all around, is #17 - mike and kelli dayton!

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Kelli Russell Dayton

12:36 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thanks that's very sweet of you Alicia. Love ya!

robert figueroa

12:48 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

mike and kelli!!!!! they are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!!

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Kelli Russell Dayton

1:15 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thanks Rob. Tell your friends for us :)

jessica

12:59 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Alena & Chris Johnson all the wayy!!!

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Steven Bartholow

1:05 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

It's a close race between the Cremeans (20 votes), the Daytons (23 votes) and the Paynes (14 votes). Keep on voting until the contest ends V-Day night and you still have a chance to upload a photo and get your friends to vote!

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Joe Spencer

1:42 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

WOW...very cool to see the number of entrants and voters here! With this many different people here who I dont often see posts from I wanted to interject briefly.

As you may or may not know I have begun a quest to change the lack of smoking laws here in Santee. We are the ONLY city amongst 18 that does not ban smoking at our community parks. We also allow smoking on outdoor dining patios at restaurants.

Since I first spoke to City Council about a month ago...I have had a number of organizations contact me in support of my effort.

If you believe that smoking should be banned at our city parks and dining patios please visit the facebook page created for this effort:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smoke-Free-Santee/309463949102071

If you are opposed to the ban, your views are very welcome as well. We need a very active community to get this done. So please if you do want this to succeed, please speak up.

PLEASE let's not make this page a forum to go back and forth about the issue--please do that on the facebook page. OR comment on one of the many other recent stories here on the Patch about the smoking ban.

Thank You! Good luck to all the entrants and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

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Kelli Russell Dayton

1:52 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thanks love <3 Tell your friends. it's a close race :)

Babbette Hilemon

2:04 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Jayson and Erika Payne...Are you kidding me !!!!! No contest....Well I do know another Santee Couple that are my " DEAREST FRENS " but I don't see them in the running so my vote goes to the " House of Payne " !!! Love you guys....

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Reba Bobo

2:33 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

i vote for couple 18!! Rod and Margret Bobo

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Annabelle

2:46 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

lucky couple # 13 - Jeff and Roberta =)

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Heather Grisham

3:05 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

#18 Margret and Rod Bobo for sure!!! ;)

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Kelli Russell Dayton

4:47 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thank you Kim!!! Love you guys!! <3

Lacie McMurphy

3:29 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Mike and Kelli number 17!!!!!! hope you guys win, you are the cutest.

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Kelli Russell Dayton

4:48 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thanks Lacie!! You are super sweet!! :)

Joy

3:43 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Jeff and Roberta Cremeans for sure =]

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Christina Hillin

3:57 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Mike & Kelli, Are so cute together #17

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Kelli Russell Dayton

4:48 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Thanks so much Tina ;) We appreciate it!

Melonie

4:07 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Very good marketing tool, Stephen! It didn't click for me yesterday but I just realized how many new registered Patchers you'll have due to this contest. You know that couples will of course email everyone they know a link to encourage a vote thus bringing many people here who may have never heard yet how awesome a web site this is. WTG! Smart cookie ;)

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Steven Bartholow

4:31 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Many thanks Melonie, 2012 is all about growing the Santee Patch community! Tell all your friends so they know where to go for anything Santee

Mark Moser

5:03 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

jason and erika payne for sure

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Brandi Dayton

5:25 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Kelli and Mike #17 The greatest cutest bestest couple ;) because with out them I wouldn't be here :)

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Capuchino Family

6:09 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Jayson & Erika Payne / couple #14

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Anne-Marie

6:17 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

#14 the house of payne!!!!!!!

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Angel Valentine

6:18 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

Can I put a vote in for 3 cute couples? #13, #14 and #15! Good luck Cremeans, Paynes, and Homers! :)

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Rose

6:25 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

# 14 Erika and Jayson Payne...Happy Valentine's Day to the cutest couple in the world!

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Christina Elizaga Paiva

7:32 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Hey! Where's my comment? I voted for #14 the Paynes. Also, I don't know who couple #16 is, but they're really cute, too! :)

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Lauren Falconer

7:54 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

House of Payne - all the way!! #14 Baby

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Victoria Heyne

7:57 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

#17 Kelli and Mike are the cutest AND big Santee supporters all around. They get my vote :)

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Axel Lopez

8:14 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

#17
Keli and Mike are the best and they are CUTTIES;) My count goes for them! Good luck

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Mary had a little Lamb

8:26 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Photo # 17...no contest. Best couple here.

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Mike Usher

8:29 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Kelli & Mike...the only choice.

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Pepe De La Vega

8:58 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

JAYSON & ERIKA from all pics. they are the cuties

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glo johnson

9:16 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Alena and Chris Johnson ALL THE WAY!

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Dominique

9:19 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Mike and Kelli Dayton! Duh...noooo brainer!

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Travis

10:49 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Paynes, true native Santeeans!

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Gina

11:03 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Part of the Mike and Kelli fanclub! Too cute!

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Arlene D

11:37 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Payne's, hands down!!! Super duper pooper cute, and so it their little boy!

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Heather

12:20 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Erika and Jason Payne, Number 14!

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Sherry Klick

12:40 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

#13 Roberta & Jeff Cremeans for sure :)

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keila morris

1:27 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Number 17 has my vote!!!! Good luck to the Dayton fmaily!! :)

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Jayson Payne

1:37 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

I better vote for myself this is serious competition, I never knew that there were so many cute couples in Santee - We all need to hang out together! (Paynes)

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Grambi

3:13 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Talking to yourself again Jayson? You ARE sooooo cute! Gotta love you and Erika!

MC Hamma

2:12 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jay Payne and Erika Payne, hands down. You can beat cuteness, but you can't beat style!

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Randy Jensen

2:46 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

#17 is my choice. Mike and Kelli are the best.

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Grambi

2:54 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jayson and Erika Payne #14 are the cutest couple in Santee!

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Desert Girl Nikki

2:58 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Go Jayson and Erika Payne #14. I vote for The Paynes #14.

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Gina

3:17 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jayson and Erika Payne #14 not only the cutest couple, they have the cutest son!!!!!

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Steven Bartholow

3:38 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

I've decided to extend the contest until 7 p.m. to give folks a chance to vote after work. Still a chance to be Cutest Couple in Santee!

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Steven Bartholow

4:47 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Whoever posted as "Santee Patch" saying we had picked a winner was an imposter and in massive violation of the commenting rules. Keep up the voting!

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Erika Lin Payne

4:55 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Yup, I'm voting for myself! Go House of Payne #14.

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Profesora Beuerlein

5:06 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Go Paynes!!! No one is more proud of living in Santee than them!

Couple 14 for President!

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Profesora Beuerlein

5:10 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Must be an East County thing, but why do most of the couples have beer cups in their hands? ...way to represent!

Christal Ferris

5:12 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Anita and Andy. They've really gotta be in love!

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Gretchen Mitchell

5:22 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Couple #14; Jayson & Erika Payne of course!! :)

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Pam Koch

5:42 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jeff and Roberta for sure!
Pam Koch

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Kelsey B

5:47 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Kelli and Mike, #17, Best couple besides my mom and dad! I vote for Kelli and Mike!

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Danielle Gerou

5:59 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jeff and Roberta Cremeans all the way. GO #13

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chris tuthill

6:01 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Kelli and Mike #17. Such a cute awesome couple and the best people ever.

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Susan Kennedy

6:26 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The payne's #14, cutest as tee coupe ever

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Shannon

6:29 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jayson and Erika payne are adorable, super cute! Happy valentines

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Ed Abeyta

6:45 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

2=1 and the Dayton's are one of a kind. LuvM.
Ed

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Cory Cremeans-Coulombe

6:52 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jeff and Roberta....all the way!! They're so cute in person too!!

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Lydia R Payne

6:59 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Favorite son & daughter Jayson & Erika, love you!!!

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Erica Oh

7:01 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Am I too late? Jayson & Erika 14
14
14
14
14

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Troy J Payne

7:41 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

And the winner is number 14!!!!! Yay

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Steven Bartholow

10:18 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

It was a very close contest! The votes came in 55-54, and after recounting I am pleased to announce Jayson & Erika Lin Payne as Santee's Cutest Couple of 2012!! See their certificate in the gallery. Thanks to everyone for voting and uploading picturs of you and your honey. I'd like to do contests like this more often, if you have any suggestions send them my way at steven.bartholow@patch.com. Congrats to Mike and Kelli Dayton for putting up a very close contest, consider yourselves pretty darn cute as well!

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Erika Lin Payne

6:04 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Thanks, Steven. We are stoked to be the first Santee Patch-crowned Cutest Couple. We love SANTEE and are proud to be parents to a fourth-generation Santeean. Thanks to everyone who voted and all the couples, especially the Cremeans and Daytons, for making this so much fun. God bless!
XOXO

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