You don’t have to sing, but we do want you to celebrate with us. We’re turning one year old today, Aug. 9.

Something about aging and contemplating our own mortality makes us nostalgic. From the moment we met to today, it’s been a great trip around the sun, Kansas City. Join us for a drive down memory lane (or maybe it’s just Main Street) with some of the best stories, moments + visuals this year had to offer.

Best stories

Parade of Hearts | Our most-read story shows how much heart we really have in KC, aka The Heart of America.

13 unwritten rules of KC | It’s almost as if everyone was already in on these “secrets.”

15 cocktail bars | This was bar-none our top performing food + beverage piece — no wonder Drink Up Week was such a big success.

Bonus: Ruins of Quindaro: KCK’s abandoned Underground Railroad town | We’re just glad you’re as much of a history nerd as we are.

Year in review

Here's to another year of team work lunches — shoutout to KC Taco Co. | Photo by KCtoday

First, thank you. Some of our favorite moments are reading your emails, meeting you in public, and hearing how much you’re enjoying our work. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just subscribed today (welcome, btw), we love you + appreciate you more than you know.

Not only have we been welcomed into your inboxes — we’ve also graced other local media. We loved joining the Ritz brothers on their podcast, “State Your Line.” Shortly after, we were invited on to FOX4’s Great Day KC (we’re still holding out for that recurring segment). Then, y’all made your voices heard and voted KCtoday the “Best Local Blog'' in Kansas City Magazine’s “Best of Kansas City 2022.” This appreciation post is for you.

Then, there was previewing new spaces (like the Downtown YMCA, Electric Park, and “The Office” themed pop-up bars), sitting by the runway at KC Fashion Week, flopping on our bellies with KC Curling Club, and falling repeatedly with KC Roller Warriors. We can truly say every one of the 365 days has been an honor.

Top-tier visuals

Photo by @kc2026worldcup

This is how we broke the news about the 2026 World Cup, but the reaction video is what filled our hearts.

Photo by KCtoday

There’s something beautiful about a skyline, a glass in hand, and one of 15 great rooftops.

Photos by @em1.sam + @petemalonephotography

When we’re not getting covered in ice, winter in Kansas City is stunning.

Photo by @coultonthomas

All we have to say is wow, we sure have a pretty city (and it doesn’t hurt when they release the dates for the 2023 NFL Draft).