Regardless of your relationship status, Valentine’s Day is a chance to get a bit mushy.
Those on the dating scene will feel vindicated by author Lane Scott Jones’ hilarious and smart observational essay in this week’s issue. Those in a more serious relationship could post our coverage of Nashville’s Vegas-inspired White Velvet Wedding Chapel on the fridge as a hint hint. Also in this week’s issue, we hear from a professional writer of love songs, round up the best romance and smut book recommendations from Nashville’s bookish types — because an imaginary love interest will never let you down — and have a love-themed local playlist from our music editor Stephen Trageser. (As a bonus, staffer Logan Butts rounded up some of his favorite new romantic comedies to stream in this week’s film section.) Don’t skip the Sweet Scene section, where readers have submitted love notes to their real-life sweethearts.
In the spirit of romance, I hope you page through this gorgeous piece of print media while wistfully sipping a warm beverage and taking breaks to stare longingly out the window. —Hannah Herner, Love Issue guest editor and associate editor of our sister publication the Nashville Post
Nashville’s new White Velvet Chapel offers intimate Vegas-style ceremonies
What I learned in my post-divorce dating experiment
Reader-submitted valentines
Bookshop owners and book club organizers give us their romance — and yes, smut — book recommendations
Check out a playlist featuring many different perspectives on love from Nashville musicians
The songwriter has created more than 200 bespoke love songs
Seven romantic recommendations to stream with your sweetheart
