This Valentine’s Day, we really have something to celebrate. LALtoday is one and a half years old + we love starting every morning with you.

Here are some of our favorite things about the 863:

Our city’s name. From the inspiration of 38 lakes, we sure do appreciate Lakeland, in comparison to the proposed alternatives: Redbug, Munnville + Rome City.
Our city supports public art. Just take a look around town and you’ll find so many cool murals.
Literally, everyone has their own story about “what Lakeland used to be like.”
Publix. Need we say more? And we must mention the recent opening of the GreenWise Market across the street from Lake Miriam Plaza.
Lakeland was included in Inc.’s list of The 50 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business in 2020. It’s a dreamland for entrepreneurs.
Our weather is great year-round for hiking nearby trails, experiencing Florida’s biggest tourist attractions, visiting local parks, trying out Central Florida’s #MustDos, or exploring the state’s waterfalls.
The Lakeland area has a diverse manufacturing economy – from lottery tickets and cottage cheese to fragrance ingredients and fruit juices – what don’t we make here?!
There’s always a pup to pet. Swan City is filled with dog-friendly places.
Non-profit organizations. There’s around a billion of them (that’s a slight overstatement, but you get the picture). Thanks to the community-focused hearts of our citizens.
The history behind LAL’s iconic streets + buildings.
Our growth – from The Joinery and The Yard on Mass to Catapult 3.0 and Heritage Plaza (plus more).
YOU. Our readers. We couldn’t be LALtoday without all 20,000+ of you.

And we’ve got to give a special love note to our Strategic Partners who help make LALtoday possible every day: Lakeland Economic Development Council + Catapult, City of Lakeland, RP Funding Center, Lakeland Electric, Southern Homes, Lakeland Regional Health, Publix Supermarkets, GreenWise Market, and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.

Happy Valentine’s Day, LALers.

– LALtoday team (Kaylee and Abby)