For Valentine’s Day 2024, we made a map of local places where our readers have made memories. We asked for your help compiling everything from proposals to making friends. You did not disappoint.
You can explore these local love stories by clicking on the hearts — and here are just a few that we had to share:
- Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve | “My boyfriend, Chase, and I grew up in Charleston and went to Bishop England High School. We had crushes on each other, but we never really talked. Fast forward six years, and somehow, we found our way back to one another. For our first date, we rode bikes down to the washout on Folly Beach. Chase packed a picnic with a blanket, snacks, and champagne. We had a great view of the Morris Island Lighthouse. We love Folly Beach, and we recently ran a 5K to help save the lighthouse since it means so much to us, and ultimately, where our love story began.” — Erin K.
- Early Bird Diner | “My husband and I took our toddler out to brunch one Sunday. Our son had been a lot lately. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. During our brunch, he started to become upset, and it caused me so much anxiety since we were in public. The stress was all over my face. I wanted to cry. As we walked out of the restaurant, our lovely waitress tapped me on the shoulder and whispered, “You’re doing great mama.” It made my day. I felt loved, comforted, and supported.” — Anonymous reader
- College of Charleston | “My husband and I met at the College of Charleston in 2007. We were both in the chemistry honors society together. We remained good friends but were always dating other people. Fast forward to 2014, when we reconnected at the Medical University of South Carolina, where I was in nursing school, and he was in pharmacy school. It was always meant to be. He ended up proposing to me at Randolph Hall at the College of Charleston (back where it all began).” — Anonymous reader
- Low Tide Brewing | “We are two Midwesterners who met in the south. Low Tide Brewing was where we had our first date. We were there on a taco Tuesday for Rebel Taquira’s food truck. We met at the bar, ordered a beer (or two), and didn’t stop talking until we realized it was closing time, and the food truck was long gone. We’re now planning a September wedding and will have our rehearsal dinner at Low Tide.” — Anonymous reader
Now we’re really feeling the love.