Growing up in Running Springs, California, a tiny mountain community overlooking the San Bernardino National Forest, Heather Rae Young spent an idyllic childhood “learning good small-town values and a strong work ethic from my parents,” as she puts it. She took dance lessons, skied, built snowmen and hiked with her dogs. There was just one problem: Heather always dreamed of becoming a model, and to make that happen she had to come down off her mountaintop. “One day I went online and found out about the 55th Anniversary Casting Call at the Playboy Mansion in 2008,” she says. “

I freaked because I think it’s every girl’s dream to go to the Mansion and see what it’s like. So I did!” Smart move, Heather. She landed a callback, shot a couple of times for Playboy, and voilà, her career took flight. “It happened so fast that I’m stunned,” admits the quickly rising bikini-and-lingerie model (whom keen Playboy aficionados will also recognize from last September’s feature Lounge Acts).

She’s beginning to call her own shots. Nothing can top the thrill of showing off her skills for a full-on Centerfold, however, especially as Miss February — our valentine Playmate. “I’m so thrilled to be representing the love month because I have tons of love in my life,” says the 22-year-old, a gorgeous smile blossoming across her face. “I loved Playboy when I was growing up in those mountains, and now look at me: I’m Miss February! Unbelievable.” Knock it out of the park with Heather Rae Young, our Playmate of the Month for February 2010. A delectable blonde with brown eyes and full lips, she comes from Running Springs, California, a small town nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains. “I was raised with strong values,” says Heather, “but I’ve got a mind of my own, and I wanted to be a model.” There weren’t too many modeling jobs in Running Springs, but it was only two hours outside of Los Angeles. Heather was working as a licensed esthetician when she heard about the 55th Annviersary casting call at the Playboy Mansion. She landed a call back, shot a couple of pictorials for the Girls Network, and was invited to test for Playmate.

“It all happened so fast,” she says. “Hef approved my Centerfold, and just like that, I was Miss February in the first double issue of Playboy.” Heather is a successful model – she has a thick stack of print work to her credit, from clothes with Affliction to cars with Low Rider and liquor with Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and Jose Cuervo – and now she’s a host and actress, with appearances on Entourage and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She lives in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Playboy photographer Josh Ryan, and their three dogs, Baxter, Sebastian and Brandy. “We’re not into the club scene,” she says. “Parties at the Mansion are a lot of fun, but I’d rather go to dinner and a drink at a lounge.” When she’s not working, she hones the tool of her trade – eating well, running and taking boxing classes. With a body like Heather’s, there’s no question that she’s the upper cut. “I still can’t believe that I’m a Playmate,” she says, laughing. “It’s unbelievable.”