Love means many different things to people in our community and around the world. To some it might be strong kinships or personal ties. To others it might be a willingness to prioritize another’s well-being. Some might see love as tenderness or outward demonstrations. Versatile and abundant, love is one aspect that never reaches an end—ounces of love can grow into gallons.
Displays of affection are diverse. Cultures exhibit love or gratitude in many fashions, through celebrations or merely reactions.
In South Korea, White Day is celebrated February 14, and women attempt to woo men with chocolates, candies, and flowers. In return another White Day is commemorated on March 14, on which day men give women gifts, chocolates, and flowers.
In South Africa, women wear their lover’s name stitched to their sleeves when February 14 rolls around. In America gift-giving and card-giving abounds on February 14.
Each culture, community, and person holds its own interpretation of love. Its profoundness resides in each person’s idea of love and how they perceive it.
We asked our readers to describe their favorite love stories, how the stories define them, and what the stories mean to them. Take it from these Cherokee County residents: our small, diverse community holds many aspects of love and displays it in many affectionate ways.
Ellen Sams, Waleska
“That’s what we love about each other. We ground each other daily. I’m very high energy and he is very easygoing. My yin to his yang.”
The Notebook. It’s cliché to say. No matter where life take us, we’re forever together and loyal to each other.
We may drive each other nuts; mostly me driving him nuts. But it’s that forever, eternal love, the love that is easygoing, with lying on summer nights watching the stars or taking winter walks in the snow—the adventures that bring us laughter until we’re crying. Nothing boastful or grand.
That’s what we love about each other. We ground each other daily. I’m very high energy and he is very easygoing. My yin to his yang. When we met I was dating someone else. He asked me out. Ever since, we’ve been together.
Belle Stills, Waleska
“Our love story has just yet begun, and we have our whole lives ahead of us to see what our future holds. I believe he will be mine to keep, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the chapters of our love story together!”
My love story is between me and a beautiful fluffy blond-haired boy I adore with every part of me. We initially met through social media, then officially met in person at my church. It was absolutely love at first sight. His bright blue eyes met mine, and it was like a spark in my heart lit up and I knew he was going to be a keeper.
For more than a year now he has been the love of my life. He’s my favorite person in this world, and the one I plan to spend my forever with. We’ve danced in the rain together, made gingerbread houses together, binged on Netflix together, and we’ve made tons and tonsof memories. He makes me feel at home; he makes me feel safe. I feel like I belong with him, and there’s no other guy who could exceed the way he makes me feel. I have a sense of comfort and peace when I’m with him, as if everything in the world is okay. All the worries and stress from my life pause, as all I see is the perfection and peacefulness my person brings me.
We have grown so much during our time together, and like all relationships, we’ve had our ups and downs, but I can confidently say those downs were worth it. Our love story holds a special place in my heart, and I have definitely noticed changes in myself from it. I’m happy. He makes me happy. There is nothing in this world I cherish more than our love. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else; no one compares.
Our love story has just yet begun, and we have our whole lives ahead of us to see what our future holds. I believe he will be mine to keep, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the chapters of our love story together!
Rebecca Wright, Canton
“We are best friends and have fun together. I couldn’t have asked for a better Prince Charming to sweep me off my feet.”
I met my husband, Phil, three weeks after I turned eighteen. We were supposed to be working at summer camps in different states (him in Vermont, me in Georgia) but at the last minute we both changed camps and ended up working together at Camp Universe in Wildwood, Florida, in the summer of 2000. We hit it off from day one, within a week were saying “I love you,” and in a month we were engaged.
At the end of the summer he went home to England, and we planned to get married in four years after I finished college. A few weeks after he returned to England, we were miserable and knew we couldn’t wait four years to be together, so we filed for a K-1 Fiancé Visa and were married the following summer after living an entire year on opposite continents.
With no FaceTime or video chats, just letter writing and talking on the phone to keep us engaged, we really learned to communicate well, as we couldn’t read each other’s facial expressions.
We were married almost eleven years before welcoming our son, Arthur, into the picture, and two and a half years later had our daughter, Kensington.
Twenty-two years later, I am glad we changed our summer camps. We have built a great life together, one neither of us were looking for or predicted when we were young, but it’s perfect. We are best friends and have fun together. I couldn’t have asked for a better Prince Charming to sweep me off my feet.
Kylie Pearce, Acworth
“My grandparents’ love story is one of my favorites, and ironically it relates to my own … I love that my husband and I get to share this small detail with my wonderful grandparents.”
My grandparents’ love story is one of my favorites, and ironically it relates to my own.
More than fifty years ago, my grandparents were both enjoying their meals at Waffle House. Across the room my grandmother at the jukebox caught my grandfather’s attention. Seeing her picking out a song was enough to convince him to make his move.
After many years my grandparents are still happily married with two kids and four grandkids.
Ironically, when I was sixteen, my now husband asked me to be his girlfriend in, that’s right, a Waffle House. I love that my husband and I get to share this small detail with my wonderful grandparents, Ron and Charlotte Huguley.
Angelina Pittman, Woodstock
“Our favorite love story is how we were best friends in high school, and everyone around us knew we loved each other before we knew it.”
Our favorite love story is how we were best friends in high school, and everyone around us knew we loved each other before we knew it. One day I confronted him, saying that I liked him and also knew he liked me, and that we should date. He said yes. Five years later, we’re married.
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Emma Tyler is a senior AP/honors student at Cherokee High School and two-time Governor’s Honors Program nominee for literature. She is currently an intern at Enjoy Cherokee Magazine and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English or journalism.