Spreading the love – Valentine's note author Barley and her pappy Scott enjoy a beer on a warm Durham day
We asked folks to answer to this question for this special Valentine's Day blog post: If you could write a love letter to Durham, what would you say? These were a few of our favorites. Share the Durham love, today and everyday!
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Dear Durham,
You let me and my fellow doggy buddies romp and run all over you. You let me tag along with my people to a lot of awesome bars and restaurants like Fullsteam, Parker and Otis and The Federal. And you even let me do my business on you.
It's been just under three years since my people threw me in the back of their car and started driving south for what they described as warmer and greener pastures, and I gotta say - they were right. You have given me a yard (as opposed to the balcony I had in Chicago) and what seems like an endless number of parks to explore. And you have given my people amazing food, friendly neighbors and an environment where they could start their own business.
For that and for so many other things, I love you, Durham. Happy Valentine's Day!
Woofs and Love,
Barley Chu-Beaudry
Durham Doggy Resident and VP of Quality Control of Barley Labs All-natural Dog Treats
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Thank you for providing me with a town I am VERY proud to call home.
Much Love!
John Charles Lindsey
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Being a native of Durham, and living here most of my life except for college, I have watched Durham grow into a wonderfully cultural, diverse community. The best thing is the people who have moved here to share their many talents that they have brought with them. While serving on Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network board serving homeless families and serving on Reality Ministries board serving our city's youth with tutoring and educational services, I have witnessed a most generous community willing to roll up their sleeves to serve our fellow brothers and sisters. We are the destination of the Triangle and I feel blessed to live here. Give a hug and a smile on Valentine's Day to your fellow Durham neighbors.
Stephen Griffin
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Olisa Corcoran wrote a beautifully illustrated love note to Durham, which you can find on her blog here.
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Dear Durham,
There are parts of the Triangle that are great for families. There are parts of the Triangle that are great for artists. There are parts of the Triangle that are great for young professionals, environmentalists, foreigners, farmers, political activists and sports fans. But I love Durham because all of those people come together, regularly, and create a diverse community with limitless potential.
Thank you,
Rhiannon Kincaid
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Roses are red
Violets are blue
I could live anywhere
But Durham, I choose you!
Heather Jones
Executive Director of DurhamCares
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As I made my way down 147-South yesterday evening, N.C. Mutual, the Hill building, Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco water tower passed by me on the left. I looked at those skyline icons, all lit up, and couldn’t help but swell with pride that you, Durham, are my home. You don’t have those tall, condensed towers that Raleigh’s downtown has, nor do you have something like the small-town feel of Franklin Street. You’re an entirely different breed of city – a mix of the old and the new, still evolving at every turn. You can be a little rough at times, but that’s what gives you character and vibrancy. I couldn’t imagine living in a static city, where I’m not hearing every single day about a new startup that’s moved into the American Underground, a restaurant that’s about to open on Ninth Street, or cool, modern condos being built in the shells of our old tobacco warehouses. This is where I’m meant to be, with you. And, like the rest of these folks, I’m sure, I’ll defend you against naysayers and speak your praises to anyone who’ll listen. That’s just what you do when you’re in love.
Amanda MacLaren
Assistant Editor, Durham Magazine
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I love walking the quiet streets of downtown first thing in the morning, and I love it when night falls in the middle of a Bulls game. I love that, 15 minutes outside our urban center, you're driving past horses and rolling hills. I love sunny Saturday mornings with my four-year-old son, just the two of us: letting him pick out veggies at the South Durham Farmers' Market, helping him pick out books at the library, then chasing imaginary bad guys with him at CM Herndon Park. I love being able to see an IMAX movie at Southpoint or an art-house picture in the grand old Carolina Theatre. I love a Friday afternoon beer at The Fed. I love the walkers and runners on East Campus. I love family walks and playground trips and lazy pool days in my neighborhood, Audubon Park. I love my neighbors. I love the $4.99 BBQ sandwich special at Backyard BBQ Pit, the tortellini salad at Parker & Otis, the burgers at City Beverage, the burritos at Chubby's, the pizza at Sal's, the hot dogs at Jimmy's, the vegetarian special at Banh's, the duck-fat tots at KoKyu. I love Monday Rotary luncheons. I love the kids I tutor once a week at Y.E. Smith Elementary. I love the thousands and thousands who are selflessly determined to help those of us who need it most. I love all the brave brainiacs working hard on The Next Big Thing. I love our underdog mentality, and I hope we never lose it. I love thinking about August 2006, when I first came to Durham to work, and thinking about now, how far we've come, how far we have to go.
Matt Dees
Editor, Durham Magazine
