7 ways to celebrate how your relationship survived 2020

Alright, you and your partner survived the fire and brimstone that was 2020.

Might we suggest a few ways to celebrate your love and affection this upcoming Valentine’s Day in Bend? Seriously, you deserve it.

Dinner and drinks from the Old Mill District: Where do we start? You can’t go wrong with the beef bourguignon from Boxwood. Or the prime rib at Greg’s Grill. Or clam chowder from Anthony’s. Or a bottle of Walla Wall red from Va Piano. Or a margarita from Hola! The majority of the Old Mill District’s restaurants are reopening for indoor dining on Friday, Feb. 12, and all are offering takeout.

Want the restaurant cocktail experience in the comfort of your own home? Greg’s Grill, Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria and Hola! are all serving to-go cocktails that make prepping for Valentine’s Day even easier.

Boxwood’s seasonal menu highlights the best of the Pacific Northwest.

Hot Stone Massage from Radiant Day Spa: Whatever your love language is, 90 minutes of smooth, heated stones gently guided over the body should translate well. Book a massage for your loved one or even better, set up a pair of appointments at the same time. You really want to celebrate? Add a post-massage facial to your day.

Couples Massage from Avalon Salon & Spa: Enjoy the benefits of an hour massage side by side in the same room with your favorite human. One of your prefer a facial to a massage? No problem. Avalon also offers a variety of manicure and pedicure services that make great Valentine’s Day gifts as well.

Fancy chocolates from Sweet Tooth: Want to make someone’s day right off the bat? Slip a Seattle Chocolate. Chocolove, or Godiva chocolate bar under their pillow. Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe makes kids heads spin, but they also have a fantastic lineup of more curated bars the foodie in your life will love. We can’t get enough of the Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate bar and Seattle Chocolate’s Rainy Day Espresso creation.

A classic end-of the night red wine from Va Piano: Show your love with a bottle of red from the Walla Walla Valley. Our favorite from the past year is Va Piano’s 2015 Walla Walla Syrah, which blends grapes from Les Collines, Va Piano and Stoney Vine. The result is a beautifully original Syrah that captures the complexities of the Walla Walla Valley.

Snowshoe adventure: Want to experience the magic of Central Oregon’s snow-covered landscapes but don’t ski? Hello snowshoes. REI rents and sells snowshoes, as well as trail maps. Even better, REI employees are a wealth of knowledge. One of our favorite loops is to Todd Lake and back either from Dutchman Sno-Park or the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center.

Free art walk throughout the Old Mill District: Who says you need to break the bank to have a great Valentine’s Day date? One of our favorite ways to explore the Old Mill is by taking in the various pieces of art throughout the district. Check out Yuya Negishi’s dragon mural just off Center Plaza and his cascading fish ladder on the stairs behind Regal Cinemas. Take in murals on both the south and north tunnels that go under Columbia and Colorado streets. Try to guess the what the paintings of Dennis McGregor are trying to tell you in the breezeway between Mio Sushi and Cafe Yumm! or find the hidden art from Brewfests of years past. In total there’s more than 20 pieces spread across the Old Mill District. It’s free, it’s inspiring, and it makes for a great date.