Yes, love does live here

A recent article about Whitefish posted on Medium titled “Does Love Really Live Here?” has given me pause. As a new resident, I feel compelled to share what I see:

I see a mom I met at City Beach last summer inviting my family to her daughter’s upcoming birthday party so my children could meet a handful of classmates before the first day of school. I see a coffee barista who livens each day with a “food for thought” question like “what’s your dream car?” I see a hospital looking to build a housing center so families who travel from elsewhere have somewhere to stay while their child receives treatment. I see a school bursting at the seams opening its arms to new children with a special summer orientation welcoming new families. I see strangers in the audience at the Christmas stroll cheering on a small child’s attempt at a first recital. I see phone calls in the police blotter about a purse left in a restaurant booth or a cell phone found on a park bench. I see business owners, and town leaders, making public statements about unity and inclusiveness.

I see love in every door we hold open for each other and every smile we share. It lives in the people who stand up for each other and make this town one people want to call home and visit. Our economy, our sense of humanity, and our decency hinges upon this. All around town, I see people rising to this call. So yes, love really does live here. And I am so lucky that I do too!

Katie Clarke, Whitefish