To invoke some ancient text: Love is patient, love is kind, love sends an earnest submission to our annual Sweet Scene feature — even if said submission is not reciprocated. (Not that I’d know from personal experience.) Check out this year’s reader-submitted Sweet Scene valentines in this week’s issue — they are so, so sweet. 

We’re back once again with our annual Love Issue, inspired by Valentine’s Day. (RIP to The Dating Issue … for now.) In this issue, reporter Julianne Akers checks out locally owned bridal store Dear Saint Vintage (where even a single gal like myself can pine over the gorgeous vintage gowns). Readers can check out the latest stories of love, longing and lust on offer at Nashville’s first romance-only brick-and-mortar bookstore, profiled here by Scene audience editor Annie Parnell. We’ve brought back a curated list of Valentine’s-friendly streaming films from associate editor Logan Butts, and you can listen to a playlist of local love songs put together by music editor Stephen Trageser.  

All is not light and fluffy in love, however. We also have a moving story from managing editor Alejandro Ramirez about challenges in immigration proceedings for couples with mixed citizenship status. Plus, I learned a lot from a (for-journalism) session with local sex therapist Valerie Martin, who shared her most potent advice. 

I’m honored to guest edit this issue again this year. As RuPaul would say, “Everybody say love.” —Hannah Herner, Nashville Scene reporter and Love Issue guest editor

The Love Issue is presented by Deacon's New South.

Deacon's New South logo

Cover of the Feb. 12, 2026, Nashville Scene — featuring valentines to cut out

Cover of the Feb. 12, 2026, Nashville Scene — featuring valentines to cut out

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