Ahhh, February.
The month of love (and romanticized consumerism!).
Not-so-interesting fact about me: I was actually supposed to be born on Valentine’s Day. I’d like to think that means I’m full of sunshine, rainbows, and confetti hearts — despite arriving almost three weeks late. I still have poor time management skills. Go figure.
In a way, I feel like I was a bit late to the “Why We Love Columbia” party, too. When I moved here for school, I unintentionally became a bit of a recluse. My weeks were spent studying and going to class, and during my freshman year, I often headed back to Kansas City on the weekends, missing friends and family back home. I didn’t make much of an effort to explore the city I had moved to or engage with the community outside of my little school bubble. Then the pandemic hit — and the rest is a blur. The number of times someone asked me if I’d been to [insert extremely popular place in Columbia] only for me to respond with an embarrassed head shake and stare at the floor should honestly be a criminal offense. This still happens occasionally, but I swear I’ve gotten better.
It wasn’t until I joined the COMO Magazine and COMO Business Times team that I really started noticing the little things. I remember my first assignment as an intern: interviewing Jessica Schlosser, owner of Lizzi & Rocco’s, for our “20 Under 40” issue. I was incredibly nervous, feeling like I was talking to a local star (which Jessica kind of is). And I still feel that sense of honor when speaking with community members who have shaped Columbia by building businesses, volunteering, and sharing their talents to make the city a better place.
My dad recently visited for a post-holiday trip, and I realized just how much pride I take in showing off where I live. I secretly planned an itinerary filled with some of our favorite restaurants: Cherry Street Wine Cellar, CC’s City Broiler, Endwell Taverna, and Cafe Berlin. He had nothing but positive feedback on the food, service, and ambiance — always a relief, since he’s a bit of a foodie. We also made side-quests to the beautiful Devil’s Icebox and the Farmers Market for some photography opportunities (thanks, Dad, for sparking that creative outlet).
For this issue, I spent a few weeks interviewing Columbia’s “boomerangs” — people who once lived here, moved away, and later returned. Hearing their stories was fascinating. After experiencing bigger, busier cities, many still find Columbia on par (or even better). It’s a place often overlooked, but those who connect with its people and spaces understand its real value. That makes it all the more special.
A heartfelt thank you to our local writers, photographers, and artists (shoutout to Adrienne Luther Johnson for this stunning cover) who make our magazine and city diverse and beautiful. And thank YOU, reader, for being part of this ecosystem. We hope you enjoy this issue that, like every issue, we put together with love.
