(614) | February 2026

SEEKING SOMEONE TO ROLL WITH

Opening Volley

JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-Chief

Love is Enough

I find it very difficult to not overthink things.

• Did I use too many exclamation marks in that email?

• Why did I say “you too” when my waiter said to enjoy my food?

• Should I really have made that Ace Ventura: Pet Detective joke in a restaurant surrounded by people I barely know?

I mean this personally (as you can probably already tell), as well as professionally. And because of it, February is always a vexing month for me. Not only does it somehow represent the worst qualities of both the winter and spring seasons, when you’re tasked with creating an interesting magazine every month (like I have the privilege of being able to do for a job), February is hard.

The project for this month—a task that I find my mind spinning circles around every year—is always to incorporate the idea of love and dating into print, but do it in a way that’s unique and interesting.

“Tell the truth, but tell it slant,” like Emily Dickinson said.

The thing is, there are only so many times you can riff on a topic before it starts to feel manufactured. We’ve done February issues about dating disasters, breakups, love online and many more, and every year I wrack my brain for new, exciting variations on theme.

Sometimes, instead of reinventing the wheel or tacking on a million bells and whistles, you just have have take a step back. Sometimes, things are enough the way they are.

We took a step back this month, and we found that love was enough.

For this February’s cover package, we invited readers of (614) Magazine to submit a love letter. Many of you wrote to a significant other. Some wrote to family members, others to themselves, to friends, or the city itself.

Either way, it’s your love that’s shining through in the pages of this magazine. We didn’t touch up, rearrange, or rewrite any of these submissions. Because we didn’t have to.

Ideally, we could all use the following pages as an excuse to take a step back and recognize the love that fills our own lives, whether it’s from family members, friends, pets, co-workers or the seemingly endless other avenues we find it.

Is this going to change your life significantly? Probably not. But it’s alarmingly easy— especially as we go about the minutiae of our lives—to get mired down in petty problems or frivolous desires and lose sight of the love that surrounds us, of the network of people who truly care about us all.

And if you can walk away from this issue with a little more awareness about the love in your life, that will be enough for us.

PUBLISHER

Wayne T.

CHIEF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CONTRIBUTING

Brown, Cheyn Roux

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sav McKee, Jack McLaughlin, Laura Hennigan, David Shaw, John M. Clark, Taylor Dorrell, Abigail Jump, Laura Jones

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Brooke Sheridan, Emily Kruse, Kathleen Singer,

� STAFF LOVE LETTERS

Sure, we mean business here at (614) Magazine, but when love is involved, we’re more than happy to loosen our ties, shut our laptops, and lean into some romance. We asked our staff to write shortened love letters to the people, places, and things that hold their hearts—partners, pets, even themselves—and here’s a peek at who makes us smile (and maybe blush a little).

My Mark, My Everything,

You see me, understand me, support me, and hold me in a way that makes me feel like the luckiest person on Earth. You inspire me to love others with the same patience, generosity, and care you show me every day. You’re the best part of my life, and I hit the jackpot having you as my husband, co‑parent to our dogs, and, most importantly, my soulmate. Thank you for everything baby.

—Sav McKee, Associate Editor

To My Cat,

Ponyo Squishy Gherkin Nocera you are the best kitty ever! I always get so excited to come home after a long day to see you! You are so snuggly and precious and have helped my mental health so much! I love you meow!

—Abby Nocera, Creative Designer

To All My Girlfriends Near and Far,

You make the world go round! As Winnie the Pooh said, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

—Anna Gerhard, Senior Account Executive

To Myself,

You’ve carried a lot, and now it’s time to focus on you. Rest when you need it, love yourself fully, and always remember: you are enough.

—Zoe King, Social Media Managerr

Every day we’re posting Columbus’ top news, entertainment, and sports stories throughout Central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below, at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!

EXPLORE

State Go-Kart Finals Coming to Columbus

The top go-kart drivers in Ohio will compete in the state final at K1 Speed in Columbus on Feb. 1, with winners advancing toward national and world championship opportunities.

Columbus Chef Reopens ‘Bougie Dive Bar’

Rosebud’s, the “bougie dive bar” from Columbus chef Josh Dalton, has reopened in Delaware, bringing its elevated comfort food and laid-back vibe back to central Ohio just in time for winter.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Forgot to reserve a Valentine’s Day dinner and everything is booked? Try some of these romantic events instead!

Andrea Bocelli’s Romanza World Tour

Schottenstein Center

8:00 p.m.

$105+

February Cocktail Class with High Bank Distillery

Edison Brewing Company

6:00 p.m.

$55

Wine & Truffle Pairing

Le Meridien Columbus The Joseph Times Vary

$52

Book Lovers Social Mixer

Antiques on High 6:00-8:00 p.m. Donation Encouraged

Brother

greater heights each year ↓

Through a talent for “twisting” and a brother-sister partnership, Ballooniacs is inflating events throughout Central Ohio

By Laura Hennigan

Randy Zacks was a college student in Boston several decades ago when he learned he had quite a knack for making balloon animals.

Fast forward a few years and Zacks had a career as a video producer, working with clients including the Franklin Park Conservatory.

“In 2003, the Conservatory had their first Dale Chihuly exhibit and I was doing some of the video footage and had the chance to meet Chihuly,” he reflected. “The gift shop was selling a three foot glass Chihuly sculpture for thousands of dollars and when I saw it, I knew I could make the same thing out of balloons.” He created the replica and left it on the desk of the executive director, who then invited Zacks to start coming to the conservatory on the weekends to make balloon art. And thus, Ballooniacs was born.

For 10 years, Zacks ran the daily business while his sister, Sally Dunn, worked behind the scenes to take care of the finances. In 2013, Dunn left her corporate career and joined Ballooniacs fulltime, bringing along her extensive experience in retail merchandising and planning. She helped to expand the business, implementing new systems, updating processes, increasing marketing and adding a website. Today the siblings are partners in Ballooniacs, and have created an inflated empire throughout Central Ohio.

“2025 was our busiest year ever,” shared Dunn. “We have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing clients and make some incredible balloon creations.” →

The company has a long history of providing balloon displays for the annual Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival, as well as working with Experience Columbus and other corporate clients. When the Texas Longhorns were in town last August, Ballooniacs decked out the Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph with a massive display of balloon garlands and tinsel curtains, complete with cowboy hats and boots. And when NetJets was looking for a centerpiece for their company picnic, the company created and installed a 25’ x 25’ jet made out of 10,000 balloons.

Dunn and Zacks attend different conventions to stay informed about new trends and opportunities. “The balloon industry is really trying to elevate the art and take it to the next level,” said Dunn. “We frequently attend balloon conventions and learn so many new tips and techniques that allow us to make bigger and better sculptures that last much longer. It’s really become more like artwork.”

Ballooniacs sources professional-grade balloons from a few different manufacturers, buying them in bulk and storing thousands at a time in their headquarters. They have also recently added lighted marquee letters and numbers to their display offerings. They recognize that the balloon trend is booming right now, with the addition of many new companies over the past several years.

“Randy and I really believe in offering exceptional customer service, and taking the time to talk to our clients and understand what their vision is….that’s what sets us apart,” shared Dunn. “I think that Columbus is growing so much and we’re very grateful that there is enough balloon business for everybody to find success.”

Zacks agreed: “What makes us unique is that we have the twisting side, which allows us to make really interesting and detailed sculptures and displays. And then we also have the decorators side, where we create columns, clusters and garlands. We tell customers, ’If you can envision it, we can make it.’” ♦

Book a balloon sculpture by visiting ballooniacs.com.

“If you can envision it, we can make it.”

Your Guide to a Perfect Pout

Let’s be honest: February in Columbus usually means two things—gray skies and chapped skin. But while we’re all waiting for that first hint of spring, there is one area of our beauty routine that deserves a little extra love this month. Whether you’re prepping for your Valentine’s date or just want a little pick-me-up, February is officially the month of the lip.

As we age, our natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid begins to dip. In the lip area, this manifests as a loss of structure, "bleeding" lipstick lines, and a noticeable decrease in volume. Essentially, the "cushion" that keeps lips looking plump starts to deflate.

At Boss Gal Beauty Bar, we have a few options that will keep your pout perfectly plump.

For daily maintenance, we are obsessed with SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier Multi-Glycan serum. The science behind this facial serum is a game-changer for those wary of needles or looking to maintain their dermal filler. It doesn't just hydrate; it also supports the skin’s glycan levels, which are essential for structural integrity and hydration in the face and lips. Clinical studies show that this multi-glycan formula visibly plumps the skin's surface with volume equivalent to 1cc of hyaluronic acid. It’s the closest you can get to professional results in a bottle.

The Professional Polish

To prep the canvas, we recommend the HydraFacial Lip Perk. This treatment gently exfoliates the dry, flaky skin that winter leaves behind, using a specialized roller-flex tip to deep-clean while infusing the lips with antioxidants. You’ll leave the chair with a natural, rosy flush and an immediate, pillowy soft texture.

The

Ultimate Hydration

When you’re ready for a more significant transformation, our expert injectors use FDA-approved dermal fillers to artistically restore lost volume or balance the lips. Whether you want a subtle "mini-plump" or a more defined shape, our goal is always a soft, natural aesthetic that complements your unique facial features.

Join Boss Gal for

Galentine's Day!

We couldn’t let the month of love pass without a party. Grab your best friends and join us for our Galentine’s Day Event on Feb. 10 from 4-7 p.m.

We’re turning up the vibes with drinks, light bites, and some deals you’ll love:

• $100 Off Wrinkle Relaxers Treatments (90 Dysport units minimum): Smooth away fine lines and wrinkles for a youthful, refreshed look—add on a Lip Flip to enhance your pout without adding volume.

• $50 Off ZO Stimulator Peels: Known as the “Red Carpet Peel,“ this treatment exfoliates dead skin cells and brightens skin tone. It’s gentle enough that there’s no downtime, but powerful enough to leave your skin glowing and smooth—the ultimate prep for a night out.

Spaces for treatments are limited and fill up quickly, so make sure to schedule in advance to snag your spot.

Let’s toast to self-care and great skin!

Visit us at one of our four Columbus locations (Clintonville, Easton, Grandview, or Powell) or book online at bossgalbeautybar. com. We can’t wait to see your face!

Fry Love You

By Jack McLaughlin | Story Design by Liann Trahey

For the 35th year, White Castles around Columbus will turn into romantic dinner destinations with tableside service on Valentine’s Day

Nothing says “enduring love” quite like a table for two at White Castle.

Well, alright, that’s not true, but the Columbus-based burger spot is still a viable destination if you’re on the hunt for some (very) low-key, and equally unique, Valentine’s Day plans.

For the 35th consecutive year, White Castles across the country (approximately 300 in total, including many of the brand’s Columbus eateries) will transform into “Love Castles,” offering special Valentine’s Day deals, decor, and–yes, you’re

“Valentine’s Day at White Castle has always been about bringing people together in a fun, welcoming and memorable way,” said White Castle chief marketing officer Jamie Richardson. “For 35 years, our team members have made this night special by creating an experience that feels thoughtful, joyful and unmistakably White Castle.”

Love Castle first began in 1991 as a (according to White Castle) “fun, unexpected” way to celebrate the holiday. This year, the Columbus-based burger plans to host tens of thousands of guests.

“In 2026 we celebrate our 35th year of rolling out the red carpet, and we expect we’ll have nearly 35,000 guests joining us for an unforgettable night,” Richardson said. “Who knows, there might even be a wedding proposal or two. And with Chicken Rings at the ready just in case, little lead time is required.”

While the engagement bit may come off as hyperbolic, believe it or not, Richardson means this literally. According to the Cravers Hall of Fame–a group of individuals who have proven their extreme dedication to White Castle through any number of burger-loving antics–this was the case with Lombard, Illinois resident Don Clelland, who proposed to his now-wife inside of the same White Castle they would visit each year for Valentine’s Day.

“2 kids, 10 years of marriage, 13 Love Castles later, we’re still kicking,” Clelland’s Craver Hall of Fame entry reads. ♦

Love Castle reservations are open now, and can be made via OpenTable.com by searching for openings on Feb. 14. Valentine’s Day reservations are available at participating locations from 4-9 p.m. The following Columbus locations appear to be participating in the tradition (with more throughout Central Ohio outside of Columbus proper):

3615 S. High St.

4525 Kenny Rd.

3540 W. Broad St. 1617 Holt Rd.

1080 S. Hamilton Rd.

6791 E. Broad St.

1111 S. High St.

1025 Alum Creek Dr.

1435 E. Dublin-Granville Rd.

“Valentine’s Day at White Castle has always been about bringing people together in a fun, welcoming and memorable way.”

THE WORLD’S BEST VODKA

By David Shaw

Known for its lauded whiskies, High Bank Distillery Co.’s vodka was recently tapped as the “world’s best” in a prestigious spirits competition

After High Bank Distillery Co.’s Whiskey War blended whiskey was named Best Whiskey in America three years running between 2021 and 2023, High Bank Co-Founder Adam Hines assumed the company’s 2025 invite to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition awards gala was surely related to a fresh round of Whiskey War-related recognition.

Run by The Tasting Alliance, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the world’s most respected spirits contests, drawing thousands of entries across dozens of categories submitted for a blind tasting from judging panels composed of mixologists, spirits buyers and media members. Tipped off that something special might happen, Hines footed the bill to bring a large portion of the High Bank team to San Francisco to accept whatever distinction might come their way.

“The whole trip we were assuming it was our Whiskey War that won,” said Hines. “So the whole time we were taking Whiskey War around San Francisco, taking pictures of it, creating content. The vodka category comes up first and it’s four other products from around the world. We were the only ones from the United States. And when they announced us, I was like, ‘What?’ I wasn’t even ready to go up on stage or anything like that. The fact that it was our vodka was shocking.”

Beating out finalists from France, Brazil, Poland and Romania, High Bank Vodka was named Best in Class and World’s Best Vodka, another chapter in an already rich story of success for High Bank after its founding in 2017. Initially conceived as a brewery, an Ohio law change allowing distilleries to operate onsite restaurants prompted a pivot that resulted in the opening of High Bank’s Grandview location in 2018.

Two other High Bank products were also lauded by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition as Whiskey War was named runner-up in the category of Best Blended Whiskey in America and High Bank’s premixed Whiskey War Old Fashioned took home the same distinction in the Ready-to-Drink Cocktail category.

“We are in the flavor business,” said Hines. “Every single product that we come out with, it has to be good. My mantra, my focus from the beginning has been if I can drink it straight, it’s going to taste good in a cocktail. So making our whiskey, making our vodka and making our gin, I want to be able to drink it straight and enjoy it.” →

Adam Hines, owner of High Bank Distillery Co., stands in High Bank’s Grandview barrel-aging space

Part of High Bank’s unique model is the use of sourced inputs in High Bank Vodka and Whiskey War, offering both nuanced control over flavor profiles as well as the consumer affordability that comes with producing blended products rather than end-to-end scratch-made spirits. High Bank Vodka uses a high grade “grain neutral spirit” as its base before fresh-pressed Ohio apple juice is added on-site in Grandview and it is redistilled. Whiskey War is by nature a blend of multiple whiskeys from disparate sources, products used as a sort of artist’s palette to arrive at a consistent, high quality destination.

“When we started, everything was going to be from scratch because that’s what I wanted to do and I love the craft,” said Hines. “But then when you talk about wanting people to also be able to taste something that’s excellent and afford to buy it too, you start coming up with different solutions. How can you still be different than everybody else and still make the best product possible?”

High Bank’s growth has come at seemingly breakneck speed, starting as a 2017 idea and scaling to three food & beverage locations (Grandview, Gahanna, Westerville), a speakeasy (also Westerville) and a world’s best-level reputation all by 2026. And there’s more on the horizon with new vodka-based, ready-to-drink blood orange pineapple and lemon-lime canned cocktails expected this summer.

But Hines preaches patience internally, focusing on building a long-lasting foundation amid stagnation in some corners of the alcohol industry and general economic instability seen acutely by High Bank during a busy-but-not-as-busy 2025. Despite headwinds, Hines expects to level back out, High Bank reported profitable growth in 2025 and is forecasting the same for spirits in 2026.

“I love having a local business,” he said. “I’m not going to create a brand that’s going to take over the country. That’s not what I’m concerned with. I want to create a sustainable brand that can weather storms and is run correctly and still allows me to spend time with my wife and three girls. We want to be known for the craft that we produce and that we’re the best at it. That’s really what I want.”

Part functioning Caribbean-inspired bar, part art installation, Bar Room at Pizzuti is offering one of the city’s best rum lists, with a side of cultural insight

“Ceci n’est pas une pipe.”

F rench for “This is not a pipe,” the phrase is now famous in the art world for appearing underneath a painting by René Magritte that most definitely depicts a pipe. Called The Treachery of Images, the 1929 piece is now regarded as a masterpiece of early modern art that aimed to communicate the inherent flaws in human language and communication.

Now, nearly 100 years later, a new Columbus art installation comes to mind. It looks like a bar. It sounds and acts like a bar. But Bar Room at Pizzutti is not a bar. Because it’s much more than just a place to drink.

Located at 632 Park St., the Bar Room is inside a satellite campus of the Columbus Museum of Art that features a collection of contemporary art galleries, all of which are, or were, privately owned by the Pizzuti family of the Pizzuti Company, a local real estate developer who donated the building and much of their collection to the museum. →

Bar Room would be a simple concept were it not for its origins in the art world. To simply visit the establishment is easy enough— one walks up to reception, pays the $5 entry fee to the museum, and goes up to the bar— however, any attempt to explain exactly what Bar Room is, to give a synopsis on its place within the nonprofit institution, results in a paralyzing confusion for the listener.

It is not a bar in the traditional sense, but instead a Caribbean-inspired art installation from Tavares Strachan, shown originally in New York as a non-functioning bar, before being purchased by the Columbus Museum of Art where it was rebuilt to fit the new room, converted into a functioning bar to operate out of the museum’s Pizzuti location.

“It’s not a pop-up. We’re not taking it down,” said Daniel Marcus, the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Art. “It’s a permanent installation…It’s an artwork in the permanent collection, and it’s also a bar and a café.”

The goal, Marcus told me, was to make

a space that is a “completely accessible, unpretentious kind of place—you don’t need a reservation.”

When I stopped in for a look around and a sampling of some menu items, things seemed lively enough. Much of the couple dozen chairs in the place were occupied, the free pool table was in use by a vigorous amateur, and the modest bar counter was full of patrons. The walls were lined with altered concert posters from the Columbus reggae scene of the late 20th century, leading to a wall of speakers and meeting at a long wall of beads that displays a portrait of Haile Selassie, the former Emperor of Ethiopia.

There are few places in the city where one can find a portrait of an Ethiopian Emperor, and even fewer places where Oxtail Pie, Curried Chicked Papillote, and Candied Plantains sit next to a cocktail list that will only be familiar to those frequenters of the very Caribbean bars that inspired Strachan—most notably the “Sky Juice,” also known as sucksuck, which is a mix of gin, coconut, and

spice served in a plastic bag just as it is in Jamaica.

The rum selection is, according to the bartender, the best in Ohio—a sip of the Chairman’s Reserve Forgotten Cask from the distiller in St. Lucia, however, was enough for me, although I did share a bag of Sky Juice with two patrons at the bar. One of them claimed it reminded them of Lucky Charms, the other saying it was reminiscent of the milk leftover from a bowl of Lucky Charms.

Above the bar is a neon phone number that leads to a recorded message from the artist, Tavares Strachan, a way of explaining the space without a traditional artist statement vinyl on the wall. “This room stands for the tradition of our places and our people, where we gather,” his voice states. “The worlds that allow us to be seen when the other worlds want us to disappear. The back rooms, the porches, the bars, the kitchen tables, and the yards. The places where laughter softens the weight and the stories keep us from forgetting ourselves.”

It is the back rooms and bars that are increasingly out of place in a growing city. Marcus said that gentrification and the closure of dive bars, those essential pieces of a local social fabric, are a “dynamic I think is interesting to lots of artists.”

As an art historian, Marcus pointed to the history of bars in art spanning from the sculptures of Swiss artist Dieter Roth to Sadie Barnett’s New Eagle Creek Saloon, and connected the phenomenon to the economic realities of artists, many of whom work as bartenders.

“I think part of it is about how artists live and work; you know, bartending is part of how artists make a living,” he said.

He also noted the importance of bars and afterhours drinks to the art world: The social conventions of gallery shows, or, more specifically, what happens after the shows, which result in a customary trip to a bar to discuss the art freely outside of the institution.

“There is this history here where you don’t have an art world if you don’t have the conviviality of an informal conversation after hours,” Marcus said, “not at the university, not in the museum, but in this other space. It’s just part of sustaining a really healthy artists culture. I think that’s exciting.” ♦

De�a�r Va�l�e�n�t�i�n�e

15 READER SUBMITTED LOVE LETTERS

Illustrations by Chanelle Nibbelink | Section Design by Brooke Sheridan

De�a�r (614) R�e�a�d�e�r�s,

R�o�s�e�s a�r�e r�e�d

Vi�o�l�e�t�s a�r�e b�l�u�e

Th�i�s i�s o�u�r l�o�v�e l�e�t�t�e�r

Fr�o�m, a�n�d t�o, y�o�u

On t�h�e p�a�g�e�s a�h�e�a�d

L�o�v�e t�a�k�e�s m�a�n�y f�o�r�m�s

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In l�o�u�d, j�o�y�f�u�l s�t�o�r�m�s

It l�i�v�e�s i�n f�i�r�s�t k�i�s�s�e�s

A�n�d y�e�a�r�s p�i�l�e�d h�i�g�h

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In m�a�r�r�i�a�g�e�s s�t�e�a�d�y

In d�e�c�a�d�e�s w�e�l�l-w�o�r�n

In f�r�o�g�s c�a�u�g�h�t w�i�t�h c�h�i�l�d�r�e�n

In “Sc�r�u�b�s” r�e�r�u�n�s t�i�l�l m�o�r�n

Th�e�s�ea�r�ew�r�i�t�t�e�nt�op�a�r�t�n�e�r�s Toc�i�t�i�e�s,t�of�r�i�e�n�d�s Wh�e�nTos�e�l�v�e�sw�h�ok�e�p�tg�o�i�n�g t�h�i�n�g�sh�a�dt�ob�e�n�dTu�r�nt�h�ep�a�g�eg�e�n�t�l�y L�o�v�eTh�ep�r�o�o�fi�si�ni�n�k C�l�o�s�e�rl�i�v�e�si�nt�h�eo�r�d�i�n�a�r�y t�h�a�n w�e t�h�i�n�k. Wi�t�hl�o�v�ea�n�dg�r�a�t�i�t�u�d�e, (614)M�a�g�a�z�i�n�e

De�a�r Sa�d�i�e,

Loving you has opened up my life in more ways than I could’ve ever imagined.

Never would’ve guessed I would find someone like you in that trashy college house.

Every day, I realize more and more just how lucky I really was. Meeting you was just the start, but getting to know you made it something much deeper.

I am head over heels for who you are. The way you love with all of your being. The way you stand up for what you believe in even when it’s hard. The way your eyes open up to me in the morning. I could never live without it. And it’s not just me.

You're the kind of person I wish everyone could be a little more like. I’m not sure if you’d agree, but I know the rest of us do. You inspire all of us to be more conscious, accepting and adventurous. You may not feel all that special. And you might feel like you’re only doing what good people should do, but you’re so much more than that. Everyday you find ways to make our lives more spectacular.

The sun doesn’t hold a candle to how bright you shine. You are a magnificent flame and I am but a lowly moth entranced in your blaze. But you have never seen it like that. The way you see me makes me feel like I am worth more than before. You’ve helped me understand my place in this world and my understanding of who I am. And I have gotten the pleasure of watching you grow. Finding your footing in this world and figuring out what you want from it. I can’t wait to see more.

I know we have plenty of future ahead of us. Places and things that we could never picture.

I’m not sure exactly what our future is like. But I know that nothing would make me happier than spending my life making you happy.

M�a�t�t�i�a�s G�r�e�y,

With any luck, I’m pointing this out to you while we run your route. Please know that I am just as excited to run around with you now as I was the very first time you invited me along; that anywhere with you is exactly where I want to be, doing absolutely anything at all. That you managed to find me despite... Absolutely Everything™ is the kindest bone the universe has ever tossed me. I don’t know what I must have gotten so right to get to know and love a light like you, but I’m more grateful than I could find words for across any of the languages that I study. I do enthusiastically promise, though, to keep trying. Until then, here—an extra cheesy and arguably ridiculous gesture. I love you here, in print—ink that can’t be erased, a thing that can’t be unpublished. I love you here, for anyone at all to read—over a pizza, a donut, an order of wings. I love you anywhere & everywhere, all the time; loudly, proudly, and hopefully for all the years I have left wandering this big dumb spinning rock. Happy Valentine’s Day, my love; thank you for giving me a connection so good and kind and correct that I feel I need to buy roses and make romantic gestures on holidays or I’ll explode. You are an incredibly big deal and this is terrifying but I’m into it.

Y�o�u�r�s, A�a�l�l�i�y�a�h

De�a�r K�e�l�l�y,

The day you read this will be our fifth Valentine’s Day together, and our fourth as a married couple. As I recall our previous Valentine’s Day celebrations, I am overwhelmed in all the best ways of the simple times spent together. This day typically consists of us going out for dinner or making a lovely meal at home, followed by an exchange of gifts like a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, a bottle of champagne, and heartfelt notes we share with one another.

As I write this, our plans for this special day have yet to be established, but I suspect that we will have another wonderful time together. Though when you think about it, many of our days consist of sweet, lovely occasions spent together laughing endlessly in the exact same way we do on Valentine’s Day. The only real difference is the name we give the day.

This day, for us, is a reminder not to celebrate, but of the ever-present love that occupies the space in our hearts. It’s a time for us to appreciate the moment, just you and I, to reflect on how far we’ve come in this crazy life we fortunately share with one another, and to await the excitement that will undoubtedly continue to fulfill our lives in the future.

Though simple in name, our Valentine’s Day is anything but. It’s a reminder of the enduring love we hold that grows each day. And I fully intend to make every day feel like Valentine’s Day. I love you.

Y�o�u�r Hu�s�b�a�n�d, M�a�t�t�h�e�w

Last year was a really hard year, for all of us. I wasn’t quite sure we would survive it with our sanity intact but I am 99% sure that we did. I just want to let you know that I could not have done it without you.

Lynny, you were the voice of reason and calm. You used your medical knowledge to help talk us back from the ledge more than one time. You somehow managed to juggle a full time job, two teenagers, a husband, and helping with Dad’s care all at the same time. I know there were days that you thought you were drowning. I know there probably are days where you still feel that way. Know that I am always here for you, day or night. I love you.

Nat, you took time off of your job to take care of our dear Dad. You endured watching him slip away from us day by day. You updated the group chat, went on coffee runs, raised your daughter, raised a puppy, and still made time for us all. I know this has been hard on you. I know you and Dad had a special bond. I also know that you are strong and capable and you will get through this. I love you, and I’m here for you always.

Last but not least, Mom. I can’t pretend to understand how it feels to lose a husband. I know that you feel like you didn’t do enough. That could not be further from the truth. You were the best caretaker, not just for Dad, but for all of us. You handled everything with strength and grace. You advocated for Dad at every turn. You treated him like a precious gift, even when the cancer took all of his joy. If I can be half of the woman you are, I will be so proud. I love you, and please let us take care of you. You deserve the world.

I’m so blessed to have the three of you. We are unlucky in our grief but we are so very lucky in our love.

De�a�r R�a�n�d�y,

When I met you, I thought you were cute, and I took a selfie to be flirty. I didn’t think we’d see each other again. I don’t remember how we got each other’s numbers, but I remember the butterflies I felt while texting you. And I remember when we kissed for the first time at your Halloween party. It’s crazy to think that was almost ten years ago.

Since then, we’ve experienced so much joy together. We’ve also gone through our fair share of stressful and challenging moments. Thank you so much for sticking with me through all the hard parts and for learning how to be better communicators along the way.

Like I said a couple weeks ago, you’re my soulmate. I pray that we have many decades ahead of us. Happy Valentine’s Day to my first boyfriend and college sweetheart.

I l�o�v�e y�o�u s�o m�u�c�h, K�a�i

JANUARY 31 – APRIL 26, 2026

N�i�c�k,

Happy Valentine’s Day to the man I’ve loved for over 20 years. Even though you might snore like a chainsaw, you’re still the best dad and the best partner. I love that you can spend hours rewatching Scrubs like it’s an Olympic sport, teach the kids to fish, catch frogs with total confidence while I back away in horror, and make memories they’ll never forget. I’d choose you again in a heartbeat— frogs, snoring, and all.

L�o�v�e

Ha�n�n�a�ha�l�w�a�y�s,

TorieS of ohio Through 250 objecTs

Three Exhibitions Annually Architecture & History

Art Classes, Ages 5–Adult

De�a�r N�e�w M�e,

Life has been rough. It hasn’t always treated you kind or gently. But still with a head held facing forward you pushed through. You loved yourself enough to overcome what you thought you couldn’t. Then shined in areas you never knew you could. You have made it so far! You have become the most kind, loving and empathetic person to everyone you meet. Your bright soul has risen from the grips of darkness. Remember to be kind to yourself, grant yourself grace, and most of all, that you are enough just as you are.

L�o�v�e A�l�w�a�y�s, M�e (Br�o�o�k�e)

De�a�r C�o�l�u�m�b�u�s,

When I moved here almost a decade ago now, I had already made up my mind that I didn’t like you. I identified myself as a resident of the city and state I came from, just one who happened to be living in Central Ohio. All of that has changed now.

It was a gradual process. There wasn’t a definitive moment, not that I remember, anyway. But today, I love your restaurants and neighborhoods: Olde Towne East, with its home plucked from another era, is a favorite of mine. I love your Metro Parks for how they offer my children meaningful interaction with the natural world and wildlife, and I love the quiet splendor of the Scioto River.

I never thought I would say this one, either, but I’ve grown to love your Buckeyes. I’m talking about the football team here, not the candy. Well, actually, I love the candy too.

I don’t know how you did it, Columbus, but you made me love you. And I’m here to stay.

M�y De�a�r�e�s�t L�o�v�e K�i�e�l�e�e�n,

Every moment I have gotten to spend with you over the past six years has been more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

Woodland walks, diner dates, raising a small critter family. Life with you has been effortless.

To think our story began with a love letter—and darling, love letters could never truly express my deepest love for you. No matter how hard I try.

I will always be here for you, to take care of your heart. It is and has been my greatest joy. I have always known that you would be my person, and now I can’t imagine a life without you.

I love you with all of my heart, and I look forward to our forever.

You deserve this love letter and a million more. I love you for so many reasons, but here are just a few. I love your determination to learn something completely from scratch. I love the way you smile when you’ve said something cheeky and you’re waiting for me to either laugh or roll my eyes. I love the way you love your friends and family, and our little family. I love your kind, genuine spirit to everyone you meet. You make me want to become the best version of myself. You are the sweetest love and I will always cherish it. I love you so much, Happy Valentine’s Day.

A�l G�i�o�r�d�i�n�o,

I reach out to touch your face

You look so beautiful with your silver hair

In moonlight

You wink at me

I look up searching for you

My eyes widen

My whole body tightens then tingles

I can’t get enough

I can never get enough

My silver fox

Tangled in the bedding

It’s fun to touch you, taste you, smell you

To watch The Love Boat with you

Your rhythmic breathing brings me peace

Waking up with you is pretty dope

I get inside my head a lot

But you already knew that.

-He�a�t�h�e�r

A�l�e�x,

I never celebrated Valentine’s Day before I met you.

It’s probably because I was with a bunch of dopes who needed to be taught how to love me, how to be romantic. Who asked themselves if I would be ok with the syrupy, sugary chocolate covered cherries from the CVS endcap or if they should shell out a few dollars more for Anthony Thomas.

It was easier to act like it didn’t matter to me, or even more, that it was a big joke. That way, I could be the Cool Girl™ that didn’t require broad overtures—I was secure, I was down for whatever, I was just fine, no need to worry about me.

Valentine’s Day is too commercial and the restaurants are too crowded and you’re right we should just stay in.

They assured their friends that it was ok to schedule band practice on the 14th because we never have to do anything. I always remembered that phrasing, “have to.” Like school got cancelled on the day of the big test.

But then I met you.

And you were so naturally romantic, you called me baby so quickly, you brought me breakfast in bed. You made me dinner and were overjoyed when I got seconds. I found out later that if I didn’t get another plate you wouldn’t make it again because you thought I didn’t like it.

You loved me and I knew it, I could feel it radiating from you in every moment. It overflowed a cup that had run dry long ago.

When Valentine’s Day rolled around it was a given that we would celebrate. At that point we wanted any excuse to dole out sweet little gifts to each other:

—A book with 52 cocktail recipes, one for every week —Fresh pasta and promises of full bellies to come —Little tiny porcelain trinkets

And yes I give my money to the greeting card companies and you do too—but seeing “Love, Your Baby”

underneath a picture of a tabby cat with cappuccino foam on its nose is more special than Hallmark could ever imagine.

The days with you are sweet, sweet like the syrup that spills out of a chocolate cherry, the real maraschino ones wrapped in gold that Anthony Thomas makes.

A

L�e�t�t�e�r t�o t�h�e On�e�s

Wh�o C�h�o�s�e M�e,

At fifteen, you chose me. You didn’t have to—but you did. That single decision changed the course of my life.

Before you, I was surviving. With you, I learned how to rest. How to live in the moment. How to feel safe enough to breathe. Being parented by you healed parts of me I didn’t know needed healing.

Watching you love each other has shaped my understanding of what real love looks like—steady, selfless, and intentional. You put one another first, and in doing so, you taught me what commitment truly means.

Now I get to watch you love my son with that same devotion. Seeing him grow up wrapped in your care is one of the greatest gifts of my life. Through him, I see the full impact of the love you’ve always given so freely.

You have always put others before yourselves, quietly and consistently. Because of you, I know what family is. I know what unconditional love feels like.

Thank you for choosing me.

Thank you for changing my life. Wi�t�h a�l�l m�y l�o�v�e, Y�o�u�r d�a�u�g�h�t�e�r

To Sa�r�a�h —

I’d be so lucky to live a life full of lingering stoplights, good questions, and open roads that always lead us home.

I love you and the journey, until the end and probably beyond. x�x E�m�i�l�y

De�a�r Ty,

You came into my life, sweet thief of my heart and mind. From the day I first saw you, I was drawn to you like a magnetic force. But you’re so much more than meets the eye. You’re playful, silly, brilliant, kind, and extraordinarily handsome.

When we met, it really felt like the universe designed it as such. Perfectly placed in the same place at the same time, in an advanced climbing class, just so we could meet and form a connection. We were even paired together to test our newly acquired skills, and so I could shamelessly flirt with you. After that night, I had to know so much more. It took me no time at all to fall completely in love with you in the middle of the woods on a climbing trip among friends, but in our own world all the same.

Every day spent with you adds more laugh lines to my face, every hug brings me peace and comfort, every kiss a confirmation of the love between us. Every outdoor adventure and comfy day at home feels like a perfect mixture of contentment and excitement.

All I see is you. All I need is your love.

x�o�x�o, J�e�s

1 0 l o c a l v e n d o r s | 2 b a r s | S k y l i n e v i e w s

L o c a l c h e f s , c ra f t d r i n k s , a n d ro o m f o r t h e w h o l e f a m i l y.

S C A N Q R C O D E T O S E E O F F E R I N G S

OF Love S eason THE

Love is in the air, and, admittedly, we’re soaking it in. We hope you are too! Whether you’re anticipating a proposal, deep in the throes of wedding planning, or simply gathering inspiration, we hope the people featured in the following pages give you some ideas for your own special day. We introduce you to two couples who chose to say “I do” in beautifully unexpected places. You’ll also meet a celebrated local baker whose artistry has earned national attention from Food Network and TLC, and you’ll discover Columbus’ very first wedding content creator who’s redefining how couples remember their day, long after the last dance. →

Affordable,Unforgettable,Local.

Make her heart skip a beat — without missing one.

Explore our curated selection of Valentine’s essentials, from timeless classics to this year’s most-wanted minimalist designs.

Understated luxury starting under $100.

Discover Central Ohio’s most extensive engagement ring collection and start your next chapter with us. Choose from over 1,500 styles plus unlimited custom options.

Lowest prices on natural and lab-created diamonds.

Owners Bob and Theresa Capace invite you to experience the personal touch at

Visit our family-owned showroom on the Village Green in Worthington—where friendly conversations with our jewelry experts make finding the perfect piece feel easy.

Katy & LAURA

Katy and Laura first met during a trip with mutual friends in Hocking Hills in November 2019, where an easy connection formed almost immediately. A few months later, we began dating, and what started as something exciting and new quickly deepened.

When the COVID shutdown arrived, we found ourselves spending nearly all our time together, getting to know one another very quickly while building a strong foundation rooted in laughter, support, and genuine companionship.

Over the years that followed, we traveled together, created countless memories, and grew even closer while surrounded by the love of friends and family who watched our relationship flourish.

In the spring of 2024, Katy proposed to Laura at a tulip farm (Laura’s favorite flower) in Granville, leading to a wedding day that perfectly reflected our journey. On a beautiful fall day in September, we were married at Understory, under clear skies and ideal weather, surrounded by our closest loved ones.

The day was filled with heartfelt moments as we shared our own written vows, celebrating not only our love story but the life we’ve built together. The evening included so much joy, laughter, and dancing well into the night—an unforgettable celebration of a love that continues to grow.

Wedding

V endors

CEREMONY/RECEPTION VENUE

UNDERSTORY

JEWELER

KRYSTY DESIGNS FINE JEWELRY

MAKEUP

MAKEUP BY MACKENZIE @KENZIEMUA

SUIT

PURSUIT

B.LOVED BRIDAL/GUILDED SOCIAL

PHOTOGRAPHER

AMY ANN PHOTOGRAPHY

BAND FLORIST

BLUE WATER KINGS

THE FLOWERMAN

DRESS HAIR

CASSADI SHIRK

FOR THE ARTFULLY INSPIRED COUPLE AND THE CULTURE-SEEKING CELEBRATION

Cuisine, culture, and style the foundation for an unforgettable wedding celebration at The Joseph, the premier destination in the Short North Arts District Celebrate your love story surrounded by captivating rare art from the world-renowned Pizzuti Collection, setting the stage for a day of indulgence, inspiration, and lasting memories From elegant receptions in our chic ballrooms to handcrafted cocktails at Soul at The Joseph, refined accommodations, and private bridal suite readyroom rentals at Liliana Spa Suites, every detail is designed to elevate your wedding experience A wedding experience defined by artistry, elegance and impeccable service awaits

LEMERIDIENCOLUMBUS COM

620 NORTH HIGH STREET

614 227 0100 | @LMCOLUMBUSTHEJOSEPH

Laurie & BROCK

Laurie and Brock met on Bumble in January of 2024. He thought she’d looked very cute and she seemed like a fun person based on her pictures. She thought Brock was adorable and made a comment on one of his pictures. We started messaging from there. Within a week, we went on our first date (which Brock thought Laurie thought was disastrous on her part) and by March, he officially asked her to be his girlfriend.

We got engaged September 28th, 2025. We had just gotten home from church and Brock had Laurie’s best friend waiting with an engagement dress and a makeup artist booked and ready. She knew then that Brock was going to propose. Brock chose to propose to Laurie at one of her favorite places, Inniswood Metro Gardens. We had our proposal and engagement photos done the same day, followed by a moonlight picnic closer to home. We both felt very overjoyed in that moment.

When it came time to plan the wedding, the more we talked about things, the more we wanted to elope. We decided sometime in October and started making plans accordingly. At first we decided on a photography studio so we could also use it as a backdrop for wedding pictures, but the more we looked around, the less we found within our budget and felt like us as a couple. During this time, we were spending more time at the Main Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library due to Laurie’s school schedule, and she jokingly said, “Why not just do it here upstairs?”

We talked about it for a few week or so and the next time we were there, we asked them about how to reserve upstairs for photos and such things. We were told it was just an email with the date, time, headcount, and photographer. We waited a little longer before we sent in the email and from there it was pretty smooth. We got married on the 13th of December with a few minor hiccups, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way. We got to marry our forever in one of our favorite places.

Never has the connection between stars and diamonds been more hospitable than at the glamorous Hotel LeVeque, Columbus’ most stunning boutique property. Rooms feature a gold and gray palette with spacious subway-tiled showers and marble-clad vanities, each of which was custom cut due to the 33 variations of room size. Plan your next wedding room block with the iconic Hotel LeVeque! Host your reception, brunch or rehearsal dinners in style.

• Luxury boutique hotel with historic charm and modern character

• Event spaces rich in ambiance and design

• Locally crafted cuisine and curated banquet menus

• Celestial turn down service where we cast stars on the ceiling of each guest room

Wedding V endors

CEREMONY/RECEPTION VENUE

COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY*

JEWELER

NAPOLEON BANDS-ETSY (HIS)

MAAJAMWAY JEWELS-ETSY (HERS)

MAKEUP

FAITH’S GLAM BAR

SUIT

TODAY'S MALE

DRESS

AZAZIE

TOBI KAY PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER CATERING/FOOD

MAESTRO'S

CAKE/DESSERT

SMALLCAKES CUPCAKERY & CREAMERY

*The Library typically does not allow weddings in their space, but made a “one-off” exception for Laurie & Ben due to the small number of people and the fact they weren’t impeding regular library traffic.

Your ring tells your story. Let us help you write it!

At Worthington Jewelers, we believe every love story is unique—and your rings should be, too. From classic solitaires to custom creations, we make choosing “the ones” feel as effortless as the bond you share. Since 2000, we’ve been the locally owned jeweler Where Columbus Gets Engaged.

Whether you prefer natural or lab-created diamonds, you’ll find exceptional quality, low-pressure support, and an extensive selection — all in a warm, welcoming showroom where we help you find rings that fit both your style and your budget.

Bob and Theresa Capace, along with our friendly team of jewelry experts, invite you to visit our family-owned showroom on the Village Green in Worthington — where unforgettable “yes” moments begin.

692 High Street, Worthington (614) 430-8800 worthingtonjewelers.com

I Do’s VIRAL &

VIEWS

How Columbus’ first ‘wedding content creator’ Dania Hamoui is redefining the wedding photography market

By Laura Jones

Photos by Jen Brown

Iknow, I know. There are already a lot of people coming to your wedding. But Dania Hamoui is one “guest” you want to invite.

Hamoui is a wedding content creator. Not a photographer. Not a videographer. Equipped with only a handful of iPhones, she attends a wedding, and documents it through the eyes of a loving guest.

Back in 2024, Hamoui was working in corporate marketing, feeling creatively stifled. At the same time, she was planning her own wedding.

“I really didn't want a cinematic film. I didn't want to be posed or staged. I just wanted someone to use my phone and follow me around, almost like a paparazzi,” she explained.

After a frustrating search for someone local, she awoke in the middle of the night with an idea she couldn’t shake. Why not ditch the unfulfilling corporate grind, and use her creativity to bring content creation to weddings?

Shortly after, her business Wedding Days with Dania was born.

For a reasonable fee—anywhere from $2,000-$3,000—Hamoui delivers tailored social media stories including a roughly three minute version of the entire day, as well as special takes a bride or groom might request, such as a focus on bridesmaids or grandparents.

Whereas professional photos can take weeks, and video sometimes months, couples wake up to peruse Hamoui’s videos the very next day.

Then there are the additional clips and pictures, numbering from 500-1,000. She organizes the content in web-hosted albums, calling it a couple's “own personal TikTok scroll for their honeymoon.”

A woman-owned venue, our club is the perfect location for all your wedding events — from the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner to the wedding itself. Don’t forget the after-wedding brunch!

Nestled among trees and lush gardens on the edge of the Adena Brook Ravine, the Clintonville Woman’s Club is affordable, intimate and a culinary delight.

All in all — an unforgettable experience!

All footage is shot in 4K, but as we all know, it’s not the format the photographer uses, it's the eye they bring. Hamoui’s eye is keen, kind, and focused on the intimate details she knows you’ll want to remember.

When asked if she ever burns out on weddings, she answers without hesitation.

“I did 42 last year. The way I think of it is, I’m surrounded by love half the year, which is amazing,” Hamoui said.

In short, she loves love, and it shows.

Check out her Instagram and you’ll see some images you might expect: glowing brides in gorgeous white dresses. Adorable children tossing petals as they march down the aisle in their patent leather Mary Janes. But you’ll also see things you might not expect, like a band of bridesmaids laughing together as they run across a busy street. Or a hidden groom secretly snapping a pic of his bride-to-be because he can’t get enough of her. Yet another groom surreptitiously wipes tears from his eyes, wondering if anyone sees.

Someone does: Hamoui. Some of her favorite moments, she said, are captured when the photographer and videographer look away.

“The moment after the recessional, when it's just the bride and groom, and they sneak away for a moment while everybody else is getting ready to leave. That is my all-time favorite thing to capture. I stay maybe 100 yards behind, so they usually don't even know I’m there. And this is the moment where it just hits them. Like, ‘Wow, we just got married.’ It’s a very intimate thing,” she said. “I'm really proud when I can get that memory for them, because it's their first as husband and wife. I think they’ll want to look back on it.”

And they can, in their inbox, the very next day.

“I'M REALLY P roud WHEN I CAN GET THAT M emory FOR THEM, BECAUSE IT'S THEIR FIRST AS HUSBAND AND WIFE.”

Keepsakes from Your Wedding

Book your wedding today

Check out Dania’s work at @weddingswithdania on Instagram, or dayswithdania.com.

T aking CAKE the

With appearances on TLC and The Food Network in tow, Columbus baker Jan Kish has topped the Columbus cake scene for decades

a.m. last Christmas morning, Jan Kish was wrapping last minute presents when her phone unexpectedly rang. It was a bride-to-be calling to set up an appointment to discuss her cake. Kish, the well-known baker behind La Petite Fleur, was surprised but understood. Cakes, for all their delicate celebratory beauty, are anything but frivolous.

As weddings go they, well, they take the cake, quite literally.

It’s not only Columbus brides that clamor for Kish’s cakes. She’s delivered one as far away as the Philippines. Her work has been featured in Brides magazine, The Cake Bible, Modern Bride, and The Knot, to name just a few publications. She’s also been on many TV shows from Today to a Food Network cake competition episode. And on TLC’s Ultimate Cake Challenge she won “best tasting cake” for her signature white swan that, despite its name, looks nothing like a water bird. It’s a classic white wedding cake, layered with an English lemon curd and raspberry reduction.

To Kish, it’s a perfect reflection of all she holds dear: the finest ingredients, scratch cooking that cuts no corners, and balance.

“On The Challenge, one thing that was interesting to me is that the judges commented on the icing to cake ratio. They noticed that nothing was overpowering in flavor, and all complemented each other,” Kish said. “I later found out from a scientist that these three elements—the lemon, raspberry and buttercream— all have the same chemical flavor components. So they hang really well together.”

As in a good marriage, harmony is achieved.

Kish didn’t come by all these successes without another thing a marriage can require: a lot of hard work.

After moving to England to pursue a degree in Literature from Oxford, she had a career back home in cardiology. In her spare time, she took cooking classes at the Cordon Bleu, opened a catering company, two bakeries and a restaurant. But she credits growing up around gourmet Hungarian food (“so much butter!”) with her lifelong passion for baking.

“My mother used to make me a coconut cake for my birthday every year from scratch,” she recalled.

To the home chef types who imagine grabbing a bag of flakes in the baking aisle of their local Giant Eagle, think again. Her mother had to bake the coconut itself. Crack open its hairy brown shell, peel and grate it, then pop the white meat out, before adding it to the cake.

“Now that’s a labor of love,” she said.

You can see this same painstaking attention all over Kish’s work, whether it’s a four-tiered ash gray wedding cake brush embroidered with fine white flowers, reminiscent of a wedding invitation, or a savory brioche tower stuffed with different pâtés, and decorated with acorns and oak trees, symbolic, as Kish said, “of strength and longevity.”

In Kish’s scrapbook—which chronicles some of the cakes she’s created in her 45 years behind La Petite Fleur—there’s a pasta cake, a savory cheesecake stuffed with bacon, onion and blue cheese, groom cakes molded like race cars, and even a photorealistic charcuterie board that seems to hold salami and brie but is actually all cake. Kish’s approach is creative through and through.

Lately, she sees customers bringing in AI generated images that may or may not even be able to stand IRL.

She prefers to put away the Pinterest boards, and instead begin with personal details important to each couple. The blue satin of a hand-painted dress. The location where a couple first met. For a globe cake she made in honor of John Glenn’s 95th birthday, she researched the exact spots of his three rotations around the planet, so that she could properly place them.

“I figured since he gave us outer space, I wanted to give him the Earth,” she said. “I don’t always get there, but I aim for perfection.”

“NOW THAT'S A L

Opening late last year, The Wag combines an indoor/outdoor dog park with a fully stocked bar for humans

By Abigail Jump Story Design by Andrew Thomas

Fur real, it’s a dog bar! November 2025 saw the grand opening of The Wag, Columbus’ newest indoor/outdoor dog park and bar, at 1330 Norton Ave. in Grandview’s Fifth by Northwest neighborhood. With a 10,000 square foot indoor space and an acre of outdoor playing area, pooches from all over are invited to unleash, unwind, and have a paws-itively wonderful time.

“It’s like a mental reprieve when you’re around pups. This environment is something that’s new and fresh,” said Casie Goldstein, owner and founder of The Wag.

Still, how exactly does the “people park, dog bar” work? There are a few rules dogs (and people) must obey to pay a visit. If you’d like to bring your pup to The Wag, you’ve got to choose a membership option (which ranges from $15 for a visitor pass to $75 for a monthly VIP pass, with price points in between).

To get a membership, dogs must have veterinary proof of up-to-date vaccinations (DHLPP, Rabies, and Bordetella), be up-to-date on flea and tick medication, be at least four months old, be spayed or neutered (if over one year old), and, finally, be friendly with dogs and people —both on and off-leash. Dogs with aggressive behavior, or a history of aggressive behavior, are not permitted at The Wag.

“I think, before we opened, people were a little skeptical of it—with what we were trying to do, people didn’t really understand what we were opening and how it would be different,” explained Casie. “So, once we did open the doors…I mean, I think we have around 213 dog members right now, just in the first few months. We have people who come every single day, so it’s been really fun to get to know each individual person and their dog. →

“IT’S LIKE A MENTAL REPRIEVE WHEN YOU’RE AROUND PUPS. THIS ENVIRONMENT IS SOMETHING THAT’S NEW AND FRESH.”

”There’s no shortage of endearing things to be seen around The Wag’s interior. Next to its welcome desk, there’s a fully stocked pup shop with all the toys, collars, leashes, and accessories a pet could dream of. Additionally, shadow boxes display the plush toys of dog members on the wall across from a “treatery,” which offers snacks from local businesses to peckish people and pups.

Tables are dotted across the space, inviting guests to take a load off and use The Wag’s free WiFi. And did we mention the on-site bar? Drinks for either species can be ordered; and you’ll likely begin to notice dogs bouncing around with whipped cream smeared across their faces. Currently, The Wag is all bark and no bites, meaning food is not served on the premises, apart from a handful of pre-packaged goodies at the treatery.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the grass in the outdoor area offers an appealing setting change for dogs ready to stretch their legs more across the acre of greenery. The entirety of the outdoor space is fenced in, separating the grass from a concrete patio. Although it’s only been open for a few months, it’s not hard to imagine what The Wag could look like in the summertime: a patio lined with food trucks, people buzzing with socialization, and filled to the brim with dogs.

A social space at its core, there’s nothing more important to The Wag than safety, education, and connection. “I want to build people’s understanding of their dog’s body language, how they interact, and what they’re telling them. When you can understand your family, it helps your relationship; it helps build that connection,” explained Casie.

She continued, “When you come into contact with a dog, studies show that the human body gets a dopamine hit—the connection supports mental health. From a safety standpoint, there’s not a ton of other spaces for dogs and people to play. Temperatures drop, people still have to walk their pets…having an indoor and outdoor space for that is huge.” ♦

To learn more about a membership to The Wag, visit itsthewag.com.

Meet Dr.

LOVE YOUR LEGS

Ohio Vein & Vascular – Polaris and Reynoldsburg help Central Ohio patients find relief from leg pain

By Sav McKee

Photos by Steven Rankins

I f you’ve noticed aching, swelling, or heaviness in your legs after a long day, it might be more than just fatigue. For many Central Ohioans, these are early warning signs of vein disease, a condition that affects nearly one in three adults. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications.

At Ohio Vein & Vascular’s Polaris office and new Reynoldsburg location, patients are finding relief and renewed comfort every day through expert, minimally invasive care and most walk out the same day, already on the path to better circulation.

More Than Tired Legs

“Many people think leg pain and swelling are just part of aging,” explained Dr. Centa, one of the leading physicians at Ohio Vein & Vascular – Polaris & Reynoldsburg. “But they’re often your body’s way of saying something’s wrong.”

Symptoms of vein disease can include: •Aching or throbbing pain in the legs •Swelling or heaviness, especially after standing or sitting

“Vein disease doesn’t discriminate,” Dr. Centa said. “We see teachers, nurses, athletes, and retirees. Anyone can experience it.”

ADVANCED, MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENTS

Ohio Vein & Vascular – Polaris & Reynoldsburg offer advanced, minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins and venous reflux, such as thermal and mechanical-chemical ablation, that close damaged veins and restore healthy circulation. Procedures are quick, comfortable, and require no hospital stay or downtime. The team also treats Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

A LOCAL PRACTICE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH

At the Polaris and Reynoldsburg offices, every patient receives compassionate, individualized attention. Most procedures are completed in under 20 minutes, and new patients are typically seen within days of calling us. Free vein screenings are available to identify symptoms and risk factors early. Best of all, Dr. Centra splits his time between both the Polaris and Reynoldsburg locations.

“We’re here to make getting help simple and stress-free,” said Dr. Centa. “You don’t have to live with pain or swelling. Relief is closer than you think.”

Call (614) 426-VEIN (8346) to schedule a free consultation at Ohio Vein & Vascular. The Polaris office is located at 1070 Polaris Pkwy., Suite 100, and Reynoldsburg is at 6100 E. Main St., Suite 105. Visit LoveYourVeins.com for more information.

Meet the Doctors Free LEG Screening

Don’t ignore the signs of leg pain, swelling, or visible veins. A quick, free, non-invasive screening could be the first step toward healthier legs and a more active, comfortable life, especially if you have the following symptoms:

• Pain in the muscles of the leg, buttocks, thigh or calf while walking

• Aching pain in the legs at night

• Tingling, heaviness, numbness or swelling of the lower extremities

• Restless legs

• Varicose veins or leg ulcers

• Leg wounds that don’t heal

• Leg cramps

As part of the Ohio Vein & Vascular network, bringing together innovative treatments and leading physicians, the office is staffed by three vein & vascular doctors:

DR. JOSEPH CENTA

Dr. Joseph Centa, a board-certified general surgeon with over 25 years of experience, practices in Avon, Norwalk, and Columbus. He is a graduate of Ohio State's College of Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

DR. BARRY ZADEH

Dr. Zadeh, founder of Ohio Vein & Vascular, is a board-certified surgeon with 35 years of experience. He’s a leader in vein care and has served as Chief of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at various institutions in New York City and Pennsylvania.

DR. MICHAEL LEVY

Dr. Michael Levy, a board-certified surgeon, has performed over 10,000 vein procedures. With prior roles at Mount Sinai and NYU, Dr. Levy now serves patients in the greater Cleveland area.

Dr. Meghna Mahambrey and Andy Kuss of SPARK Relationship + Sexual Wellness in Worthington answer hot topics about love & sex

Do you have any tips for married or long-term partners who feel like they’ve lost "the spark”?

The biggest misconception couples have is that their relationship should look and feel the same as it did in the beginning. A powerful exercise for couples is to have each partner define what “the spark” means to them, reflect on what fueled it early on, and identify what would reignite it now. We all carry unspoken assumptions about what marriage should look like, but it’s freeing and exciting when we realize we get to design our own—and redesign it over the years. Periods of boredom or stagnation are normal and the reality is the spark fades in every relationship, but there’s always something you can do about it. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it’s greener where you water it.

Can you share your top three tips to maintaining a healthy sex life with your partner?

1. Get curious about your partner’s sexuality. Go beyond mechanics and dive into meaning. What do they crave most? Why do certain things turn them on or off? What do their fantasies reveal about their inner world? How can you help them feel as comfortable as possible in their skin?

Many relationships lose their spark. But Dr. Meghna Mahambrey and her husband Andy Kuss are here to let us know that, for one, it’s normal for the flames to die down, and also, it’s possible to reignite them.

SPARK Relationship + Sexual Wellness was founded in 2020 by Meghna and Andy following Meghna’s viral TED Talk about relationship and sexual education.. Their collective education, talents, and lived experiences led to the birth of their platform dedicated to improving love lives through a blend of scientific methods and spiritual wisdom. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we sat down with them to ask a few questions about love, sex, and relationships.

2. Deepen your understanding of your own sexuality. How important is sex to you, and why? How have past relationships impacted your confidence? Do you take radical responsibility for your own pleasure? Are you comfortable communicating your desires, fears, and boundaries?

3. Nurture emotional intimacy. Men often experience sex as the pathway to emotional closeness, while women often experience emotional closeness as the pathway to sex. So no matter how you slice it, sex isn’t just about sex. It’s about feeling seen, heard, and understood.

← Dr. Meghna Mahambrey and Andy Kuss, co-founders of SPARK Relationship + Sexual Wellness

You talk about the “orgasm gap.” Can you explain that?

The “orgasm gap” refers to the consistent finding that men orgasm quicker, easier, and more often than women in heterosexual relationships–in other words, men are having more fun. While there are many cultural reasons for this, sex has historically been centered around men’s pleasure, with women minimizing or sacrificing their own. Women are just as sexual as men, but their pleasure is often more layered and context-dependent. And for the record, orgasm isn’t the only measure of good sex—presence, fun, and deep connection matter just as much.

What are the biggest mistakes couples make in the bedroom, and how can people avoid them?

If we had a nickel for every time we’ve heard that Google says happy couples have sex 2–3 times a week, we’d be filthy rich. Some couples have sex daily but are miserable, others have sex twice a month but are deeply in love, and some haven’t had sex in years. Sexual frequency isn’t a reliable indicator of relationship health, and it fluctuates over time. Couples are often relieved to learn their sex life is normal, whatever it looks like. If one or both partners want more sex, that’s absolutely possible—but pressure and expectations don’t fan the flames of desire, they stifle it. Focus on deepening mutual respect, emotional intimacy, and physical affection inside and outside the bedroom, and your sex life will naturally blossom. ♦

SPARK Relationship + Sexual Wellness is located at 693 1/2 N. High St. in Old Worthington. Book a coaching session or register for a workshop at sparkwithmeghna.com

The story of two Columbus residents who met through a radio dating show in 1983, and have been married ever since

By John M. Clark

“Ididn’t hear the part about the Fu Manchu,” said Cindi Leeman. “If I had, that would have been a deal breaker.” She and her husband can laugh about the mustache now. But in 1983, Lenny didn’t know how close he had come to losing the love of his life before he had even met her.

The common denominator that brought the two 23-yearolds together was a radio show called Desperate & Dateless, on Columbus station WTVN. The format was all the rage in the Midwest in the late 70s and early 80s, with most of the live programs airing on Friday evenings.

The show host—in this case, “Easy” Ed Hartley—would put a young single man or woman on the air, ask a few personal questions and then invite others to phone in and talk with the first caller. If there was mutual interest, the two would exchange information “off air” and set up a date.

Lenny, home from the military and attending Ohio State University, was looking for female companionship. He had had a few dates, but nothing serious. Cindi, fresh out of college, living at home and about to start a career, was also looking for someone—though, at the time, they both insisted to friends that they were calling in “just for fun.”

“On the night in question,” Lenny said, “I was at a friend’s place. Mark used to call in all the time, and he was trying to get me to try it,” added Lenny. “I said, ‘Shoot, Mark; I’ll call.’ I dialed in; a woman asked me a few questions; and the next thing I knew, I was on the radio with Ed.”

Cindi said she had missed the first part of Lenny’s conversation when she called in and was connected to him. “But he sounded nice,”she said. “He wanted to know about me. I told him I had never been married, was on the petite side and that I had just gone camping for the first time.” →

Lenny, himself an outdoorsman, liked everything he heard. Once they were off the air, the two traded information and agreed to meet at a campus bar called the Travel Agency. His friend tagged along. “The place was packed,” Lenny said.“I was looking for a girl with long hair and a purple-striped shirt. And then I saw her, in a booth, with two other girls.”

He and Mark sat down with them. Lenny and Cindi struck up a friendly conversation. Lenny asked his friend to get lost. One of Cindi’s girlfriends said she had developed a headache, so she and the other friend left, too. “Then it was just Lenny and me,” she recalled. “With the Travel Agency about to close, we wound up going across the street to dance at a place called Surf City.” Truth be told, it was love at first sight. “I think we closed both places,” Lenny added. “It didn’t feel weird or anything, even though we had just met on a dating show. I walked her to her car and asked if I could call her.” As for

the Fu Manchu, Cindi said, “Luckily, he had a very good personality.”

Cindi remembers that next date very well. “It was so funny when he showed up at my parents’ house in a beat-up Toyota, with long hair and a Texas t-shirt with armadillos on it,” she said. “My mom and sister referred to him as a ‘mercy date.’”

At first, the couple kept the Desperate and Dateless part secret from most of their friends and relatives. To them, the two had simply met at a nightclub. “I remember finally telling my brother the truth,” Cindi said. “He laughed so hard that he fell on the floor.”

But Cindi’s mom and dad quickly warmed up to Lenny. And when the opportunity arose for her to meet his parents, Cindi developed a close relationship with them, too. It wasn’t long before the couple realized this was serious.

Months later, they went to her family’s beach house on Sandusky Bay for a big

family reunion. “We were partying our asses off,” Cindi said. “After a while, Lenny and I went to sit on some rocks and look at the water. We were both a little tipsy, and he just turned and asked me to marry him. The next day, we were driving back to Columbus. I said, ‘Do you remember what you asked me last night?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Were you serious?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And that was it.”

Cindi and Lenny married on August 13th, 1985, and never looked back. Since then, they’ve raised a family of their own, including a daughter who’s been considering online dating, herself. Both turned 65 this past year and still marvel at the fact they met on a radio call-in show almost 43 years ago.

Desperate and Dateless has long faded from most people’s memories. “But our story is one we really enjoy telling,” Cindi said. “A lot of people haven’t lasted as long as we have, no matter how they met.” ♦

“A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN’T LASTED AS LONG AS WE HAVE, NO MATTER HOW THEY MET.”

Dogs. Cats. Horses. Farm animals. Around here, we provide every animal we treat with the best, most advanced care possible. Backed by cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art diagnostics, and dozens of board-certified specialists, we deliver complete, compassionate care for animals of every kind. Yes, even cats.

“They

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