Where Love Stories Begin: a Cup, a Conversation, a Memory

As we are in Valentine’s month, we find ourselves thinking about the quiet beginnings of love stories. Not the grand gestures. Not the dramatic movie moments. But the simple, real ones.

A few years ago, a couple chose our Kerrisdale store for their very first date. They told us later they picked a coffee shop because it felt easy. Comfortable. Low pressure. A place where they could talk without expectation. Just two people, two cups, and a chance to see where the conversation would go.

That afternoon, what was meant to be a quick coffee turned into hours of talking. Laughter replaced nervousness. One cup became two. And before they knew it, they were planning their second date.

What makes their story even more special is what happened after.

Every year, on their anniversary, they come back. With Valentine's gifts and flowers, They order the same drinks they had on that first date. They sit together, smile at how far they’ve come, and take a photo before heading out to dinner. It has become their tradition to begin their celebration exactly where their story began.

Moments like this remind us why coffee shops are such beautiful places for first dates.

There’s something about holding a warm cup that softens the nerves. The gentle background music. The freedom to stay longer if the conversation flows or to keep it short if it doesn’t. A café gives you space to be yourself. To listen. To laugh. To pause.

Love doesn’t always begin with fireworks. Sometimes it starts with a simple “Hi” across a small table.

On Valentine’s Day, we feel grateful to be part of so many beginnings, reunions, and traditions. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, celebrating an anniversary, or simply sharing a quiet moment together, we’re honored to be part of your story.

Because you never know, today’s coffee date might become a memory you return to every year. That’s why we brew with love and Aloha ❤️☕