What a wonderful initiative! I really hope I'll be able to contribute to this jam!

I have a question: is it a requirement that the game is based on/inspired by real life people close to me, or am I allowed to come up with a story and characters whole cloth (as long as valentine's day is a central theme, of course)?

Thank you! I hope you have a great time participating if you can!

Yes! You can interpret the theme however you like, whether it be through real-life people or fictional stories- all as long as there is a hint of the main theme in there!