On Toledo: Christina
How I know her: I met Christina on 8/23/10-our very first day of graduate school. We truly hit it off immediately and became almost inseparable within just a couple weeks. It didn’t take long for us to realize we had feelings for each other and, well, you guys know the rest. Christina is hilarious, bright, and great with words. More than materials, she loves experiences and time with her people. As someone who grew up in a different state, she’s very aware of exactly what makes Toledo worthwhile.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat in Toledo?
A: My favorite place to eat in Toledo is The Café at the Oliver House, on the patio, in the summertime. That little area feels so magical to me. In the colder months, they have a modern looking fireplace inside that feels cozy and warm. I love that their menu always changes, like there’s a real chef in the kitchen that comes up with new ideas and recipes. I love that place, and I feel like it’s what a restaurant is meant to be.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Toledo?
A: My favorite thing to do in Toledo is find new places to bike ride with my wife. Toledo has a lot of nice bike paths and Metro parks, there is a path right by our favorite coffee spot, Plate 21. I can’t think of a better time, than starting your day with a coffee and pistachio muffin, then riding for miles in the warm air. My wife and I rode over 200 miles this past summer, and I’m proud of that.
Q: If someone was visiting Toledo for the first time, what is one thing they absolutely have to experience?
A: People new to Toledo must experience the lights at Hensville at Christmas time. It’s not super fancy or expensive looking, but it’s perfect to me. I’m not wild about cold weather, so I’m okay with looking at the lights, even for just a few moments, and then stopping at Fleetwood’s for some Blitzen to warm us up. On our way home, my wife and I drive through Ottawa Hills and also look at the lights there. There is something about that experience that makes me feel young and happy. I really enjoyed sharing that experience with my mom last year.
Q: What does Toledo mean to you?
A: I’m always taken aback when people downplay Toledo. I didn’t come to Toledo till I was 25, and that’s when my life truly started. I met the most amazing people here. It’s where I realized that material things and money don’t matter, it’s your community that matters most. I met my wife at the University of Toledo, I married her here in The Old West End, and I want to be here with her forever. Toledo is my home, and I’m really happy about that.
Q: Anything else you wanna share?
A: I’d like to add that I think Toledo is the perfect place to live because there’s almost always something to do. There’s yoga places, coffee places, unique restaurants, bars, a Farmer’s Market, an especially welcoming and loving LGBTQ family, a (new) community bike share, gyms, a store that sells handmade items from local artists, beautiful waters, dog parks, metroparks, theaters, malls, and best of all, the best people in the world. I think if you can find a place in the world where you feel like you belong, with people that value you, you truly have everything you’ll ever need. And you know what? I’m so comfortable with Toledo, I know all the places to park for free. So, hah!