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Romance is nothing without surprises, which would make Minneapolis the Antonio Banderas of surprise. Read on to find out how Meet Minneapolis' Emily Ogaard-Peterson found love where she never thought she would.

Love is in the air this time of year, and it is hard not to reminisce about when we first fell in love with that special someone. February is especially memorable for me because I first met my husband on the most romantic day of the year: Superbowl Sunday…Well maybe not for most people, but for two die-hard football fans like us it’s fitting. This began a whirlwind romance, with many dates in cozy little restaurants with great food and wine, walks down moonlit paths, and all of the other great things that make up the classic Minnesota fairytale.  It is only now when we look back that we realize we were not only falling for each other but also for the city we now call home.

I have to admit that even though I had lived close by in an unnamed suburb, for many years Minneapolis was a mystery to me. I rarely made the short drive into the city, and when I did it was usually because I was attending a play, sporting event or concert. So I never really knew about all the hidden treasures in this city. For our first date, my date (now husband!) took me to a cozy little restaurant in South Minneapolis called Café Maude. As we drove through the neighborhoods, I wondered where in the world he was taking me. To my surprise, we finally stopped at this small restaurant sandwiched between some houses. This was an eye-opening experience for me as it was everything I have ever yearned for in a restaurant. It was warm, inviting, cozy yet hip, and I felt special to be there. The food and drinks were outstanding at and I thought we had found a hidden treasure. Little did I know there were places like this all throughout Minneapolis! Some of our favorites include Café Maude, Café Levian, Blackbird, The North East Social (can’t wait to try the Eat Street Social!), El Meson and many more. Two years later, we caved and bought a house in the city we love. We are still constantly surprised by the unique restaurants and shops we find hidden among the houses. Not only does our love for each other grow stronger each day, but so does the love for the city where we live and get to explore! 

So this Valentine’s Day, don’t be afraid to venture to the unknown. Make reservations at a neighborhood restaurant in Minneapolis, take a stroll in a city park or find that perfect something at a little shop and who knows, you might just fall in love….