On a related note, we wanted to bring your attention to another great resource for all things outdoor dining in Southern Maine. The newly created Maine Winter Dine has the 4-1-1 on which spots have patios, heaters, fire pits, and even heated floors (we're looking at you, Little Giant).

For Valentine's Day this year, we teamed up with Portland Buy Local to encourage residents & visitors to create their own handmade valentines to Portland. We provided the blank canvas, and we were blown away by the outpouring of love & creativity. As you'll see in our photo gallery, people expressed their love through poetry, incredible illustrations, clever collages, and even three-dimensional designs. Clearly, it's easy to gush about our little city by the sea!

We were proud to see our LOVE NOTES project featured in a Bloomberg piece: Public Displays of Affection for Urban Life.

COVID most certainly didn't stop the iconic Valentine Bandit from delivering hundreds of red hearts all over town.

The Valentine Bandit, also referred to as the Valentine Phantom, has been leaving his mark on Portland for over 40 years now, and his identity remains a mystery.

It's a tradition that delights us all each and every year – and the hearts seemed to have special meaning during this tough year. As one of our Instagram followers said, it's "such a simple way to share the love. Warms my heart every time I see one!"