February 2021

Sometimes, Valentine’s Day can feel a bit, well, forced, right? 

For couples, it can be a matter of deliberating over restaurant reservations and deciding last-minute boxed candy gifts in a crowded grocery store aisle. 

For singles, it can be a reminder of society’s stereotypes about what is considered “love”. 

For us, the month of February represents all kinds of love: Not just romantic, but also the love you have for your family, friends, community, and career. We know that the previous year’s challenges really forced many of us to pause and take stock of the things that mean the most to us. That’s why in this issue, we’re sharing stories that offer the chance for a bit of a reset. 

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In our cover section, writer Melinda Green gives us a variety of examples of ways to practice love, from pandemic pets, to finding a side hustle you love, to reconnecting with family and celebrating with friends. We hope that you can see some of yourself reflected in one or more of her stories. 

And of course, it wouldn’t be right to mark Valentine’s Day without recognizing romantic love. That’s why we dedicated a special section to the love stories of five recent Columbus newlyweds. 

While we celebrate our love of food all the time, we certainly wanted to recognize it this month. Accordingly, you’ll learn about new food (new to us) the Zelnik, the delectable delights at Coco Cat, and just why our state is known for its cheese (it’s true). 

So grab your favorite mug and your coziest blanket, and curl up with us this February. We’ve been through a lot this past year, and it’s time to take a breath and celebrate just how far we’ve come together with our loved ones and everything else that we hold dear. 

We love you, Columbus. Happy Valentine’s Day. 

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