We asked our readers to share the stories behind their first kiss in Charlotte.

Why it matters: Charlotte evolves fast. New buildings go up, hangout spots shift, new restaurants open, and old favorites fade. But the nerves, excitement and awkward magic of a first kiss stay the same.

The intrigue: Some of these stories took place just months ago; others nearly 50 years ago. Still, they all capture a timeless human experience unfolding across our fast-growing city.

Here are a couple of responses:

📍Briarwood Park, 2021: "I was 21, had never been kissed and was dating my first boyfriend at the time. We drove to Briarwood Park and sat on the bleachers in front of the baseball field. All of a sudden, he asked, 'Can I kiss you?' My reply was, 'Can I put on Chapstick first?'" — Brooke H.

📍 Mama Ricotta's parking lot, 2025: "It was our second date (we are both divorced and in our 50s). It began to sprinkle and then rained a little harder. It felt straight out of a movie." — Sarah T.

See these moments mapped

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Middle School, Spanish Instructor at Charlotte Country Day School.
2. Association Director of Digital Experience at YMCA of Greater Charlotte.
3. Real Estate Paralegal – Residential Closings at The Miller-Hogue Law Firm, P.C.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Officials responding to a South Carolina measles outbreak are following an increasingly familiar script in their advice to families: You should vaccinate your kids, but it's your choice.

Why it matters: Nationwide measles cases have topped 1,900 this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — higher than any year since the disease was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000.

• Even though outbreaks like the one in South Carolina are confined to a small area, that's no reassurance for local officials, who know it's easy for even a localized flare-up to spread.

The latest: South Carolina had 129 confirmed cases as of Dec. 9, with more than 250 exposed people quarantining. Most of the cases are in Spartanburg County, in the northwestern corner of the state.

Threat level: Local officials worry that people who are either electing not to keep their kids up to date on vaccines or resist the shots completely tend to live close to each other, and are creating geographic pockets of significant risk for more outbreaks.

• "This is just another example of why it's important for us to have federal leadership ... our state boundaries are arbitrary in some way," Raynard Washington, the health director in Mecklenburg County, which is about an hour from the outbreak center, told Axios.
• "The reality is that people in Fort Mill, South Carolina, come over to Charlotte every day for work or to shop or to play."

Keep reading

Winter holiday travel is underway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and will run through Jan. 4, 2026.

Why it matters: CLT officials expect roughly 2.7 million passengers to arrive and depart the airport. That's a 13% drop from last year.

The big picture: Dec. 19, 26 and 27 are expected to be the busiest days for local departures. The Dec. 26-28 period is expected to be the busiest overall travel days at the airport.

• You can check security and shuttle bus wait times at cltairport.com. You can also reserve parking at parkCLT.com or on the airport's app.

Eastern Europe is emerging as a hot destination for Americans traveling abroad next year, per new Kayak data shared with Axios.

Why it matters: The post-COVID travel boom shows no signs of cooling, even as affordability is top-of-mind for many Americans.

Driving the news: There's been a nearly 180% bump in U.S. search interest for flights to the Czech Republic for 2026 compared to 2025, Kayak says.

• Searches for Bulgaria are up nearly 140%, those for Hungary are up nearly 90%, and those for Albania rose just over 65%.
• There's also notable interest in parts of the Middle East, with searches for Jordan and Egypt both up nearly 50%.

Zoom in: Christchurch, New Zealand, tops the list of trending cities, with search interest up nearly 200% for 2026 travel versus 2025.

• It's followed by Prague, Czech Republic (+180%); Sofia, Bulgaria (+136%); and Kraków, Poland (+106%).

How it works: That's based on Kayak searches made from April through September 2025 for international flights from the U.S. in 2026.

• "Trending" destinations are those with the biggest bumps in search interest from one year to the next — not those with the most search interest overall.

Caveat: Kayak's data reflects search interest, not actual bookings.

Friction point: Residents of some hot European destinations have been rallying against over-tourism, Axios' April Rubin reports.

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• The Bergamot: A South Shore Christmas at Carolina Theatre tomorrow: Featuring a special performance with the Charlotte Youth Choir, this Christmas show blends festive storytelling with classic Christmas carols and original songs. $47.
• A Sainted Christmas Carol: Iced Scrooge at Carolina Theatre Sat: Experience the magic of the holidays with America's Got Talent Golden Buzzer finalists Sainted Trap Choir as they flip the Charles Dickens' classic into a trap-soul celebration. $35.
• Charlotte Checkers Stanley Cup Appearance at Bojangles Coliseum Sun: See the greatest trophy in sports prior to the Checkers' game. Come out early to take a photo with the NHL's Stanley Cup prior to the 4 p.m. game. Doors open at 1:30. $29+.
• Miracle on 34th Street at Carolina Theatre Dec 23: Watch the perennial Christmas favorite at the newly restored and historic Carolina Theatre. "Miracle" shares the story of a department store Santa who claims to be the real Santa. $16.
• Women Build 35th Anniversary Kick-Off Party at The Ruth Jan 22: Celebrate more than three decades of women who are shaping the future through Women Build; an inspiring initiative that has helped create affordable homeownership for families in our community.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

🗣Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden says he believes U.S. Border Patrol will return to Charlotte. (WCNC)

🌲 Up to two real Christmas trees without any decorations may be dropped off at no cost at one of Mecklenburg County's recycling centers. County residents may get rid of one artificial tree for free. (Mecklenburg County)

🎬 Charlottean Angel Garet was a finalist on Hallmark's "Finding Mr. Christmas." (EW)

North Carolina nonprofits that serve victims of domestic violence and child abuse are facing funding cuts. (WUNC)

🏆 The Stanley Cup will appear at the Checkers' home game at Bojangles Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 21, per a release.

Blume Studios, Blumenthal Arts' immersive art hub, will bring "In Pour Taste" to Stage 1 next year.

What to expect: Australian comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh will take you through a wine tasting with a sommelier.

• You'll taste five wines, and there is an alcohol-free option (ask in advance).
• "It's highly interactive," Blumenthal Arts CEO Tom Gabbard told members of the media Friday.

The kicker — there are two bells called the "B.S. bells." If someone starts sounding pretentious about the wine, expect to hear the "B.S. bells."

If you go: "In Pour Taste" runs Feb. 3-15 at Blume Studios. Tickets start at $90.

It's almost time for the calendar to turn. As we prepare for 2026, I'd love to hear from you about our city. What's your New Year's resolution for Charlotte?

• Let me know at [email protected]