"We met online" isn't always the full story when it comes to finding a valentine these days.

Why it matters: As dating app fatigue sets in, in-person dating events are getting a lot of love locally.

By the numbers: In Columbus, the number of in-person singles and dating events hosted on Eventbrite increased 47% from 2023 to 2024, according to data shared with Axios.

• Attendance at those events jumped 189%.

What they're saying: An increasing number of people are "bridging online communities with real-world connections," particularly with social events focused on interests like stand-up comedy and board game nights, Eventbrite CEO Julia Hartz says.

The intrigue: Across the country, sober dating events gained traction — making up 66% of all dating events in 2024, per Eventbrite's data.

• And LGBTQ+ dating events grew 63% year over year.

⏩ Stunning stat: Columbus apparently likes to keep things moving. Speed dating attendance skyrocketed 417% here.

Zoom in: If you want to get out there and find love in real life, here's a sampling of upcoming local events.

🍕 Play Valentines Against Humanity at Mikey's, 1839 N. Pearl St.

• 6:30-9pm Friday. $5.

🕹️ Find your Player 2 at Level One Bar & Arcade, 138 Hutchinson Ave.

• Ages 40-55: 6-8pm Sunday, $32-38.
• Ages 29-40: 8-10pm Sunday, $29-36.

🍺 Mingle at a mixer at Noble Cut Distillery, 750 Cross Pointe Road.

• 7-9pm Feb. 20. $7-10.

💻 Take your laptop to Seventh Son for a coworking event, 1101 N. 4th St.

• 11am-3pm Feb. 21. $10.

☕ Meet for coffee at The Morning Ritual, 219 S. High St., Suite 100.

• 3-5pm Feb. 22. $30.

🎳 Go bowling at Star Lanes Polaris, 8655 Lyra Drive.

• 6:30-8:30pm Feb. 24. $35.

⛪ Connect with fellow Christians at Vineyard at Tuttle Crossing, 5400 Avery Road, Dublin.

• 6:30-9pm March 14. $30.

📬 We want to know: Do you have fun story to share about how you met your partner? Reply to this newsletter.

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If you're still looking for that special someone, you're in a good place to do it.

By the numbers: Over half (56%) of Franklin County residents 20 and older are unmarried — including 58% of women and 55% of men — per 2019-2023 census data.

• That's the fourth-highest percentage in Ohio and well over the national average of 49%.

🐔 Health officials reported the state's first probable case of human bird flu this week: a farm worker in western Ohio who worked with dead poultry. (Spectrum News 1)

An attorney for the man accused of last week's mass shooting in New Albany wants him to undergo an evaluation to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial.

• A court hearing scheduled for yesterday was postponed. (WCMH-TV)

💰 JobsOhio, the state's private economic development corporation, received a 15-year contract extension through 2053 — despite concerns from Democratic lawmakers and GOP Attorney General Dave Yost. (Dispatch)

🎵 EDM icon Marshmello will headline this year's Breakaway Music Festival, May 30-31 at Historic Crew Stadium. Tickets go on sale at 10am today.

🏆 Take a behind-the-scenes tour at Ohio Stadium and selfie with the National Championship Trophy in the Buckeyes' locker room.

• 10am-6:30pm today-Sunday. $40-50.

💡 Stroll through Wanderlights for one last weekend at the Columbus Commons.

• 5-10pm today-Sunday. Free!

🎶 Groove to the blues with Bobby Floyd at the Southern Theatre.

• 7pm today and tomorrow, and 3pm Sunday. $24-98.

🐶 Fetch your tickets to Paw Patrol Live at OSU's Mershon Auditorium.

• 10am and 2pm tomorrow and 11am and 3pm Sunday, 1871 N. High St. $43-73.

🐦 Go birding at Blendon Woods during the annual Great Backyard Bird Count festivities.

• 10am-2pm tomorrow-Monday. Free!

🤠 Learn the ropes when the World's Toughest Rodeo comes to Nationwide Arena.

• 7:30pm tomorrow. $25-65.

🇺🇸 Celebrate Presidents Day at the Ohio History Center, with memorabilia, crafts, trivia and a special exhibit on women's suffrage.

• 11am-4pm Monday. $10-16. Kids under 4 free!

🗓️ Reminder: There are several Black History Month events happening this weekend.

Eat your hearts out, '90s kids.

Kicking the news: The Crew will wear Goosebumps-themed jerseys this season as a nod to author R.L. Stine, who grew up in Bexley.

The intrigue: The black kits feature a "bright, yellow slime … creating an all-over pattern that activates under ultraviolet light," the team says.

• It's reportedly the first MLS jersey with UV-activated tech. Neat!
• Watch the hype video

💭 Our thought bubble: These are way better than last season's Charlie Brown jerseys and have us brainstorming fake soccer-themed Goosebumps stories.

• "The Deadly Corner Kick" … "The Day Cucho Went Away" … "Oh No, Hell Is Real" and everyone's favorite, "Leviathans Lurk at Lower.com Field."

What's next: The 2025 season kicks off next weekend against Chicago.

👋 Tyler here. Yesterday's story about weird street names inspired many of you to share your favorite area roads, avenues and lanes.

• They've been a joy to read and we'll highlight some of them soon.

Until then, a few of my personal favorites, as a Google Maps nerd:

⛳ No duffers allowed: The Golf Pointe Apartments complex near Galloway features roads named after famous golfers, like Tiger Woods Way, Nicklaus Boulevard, and Fuzzy Zoeller Circle.

👟 Get your kicks: On either side of Hilliard Rome Road you'll find shoe-themed roads like Reebok Drive, Adidas Court, and Puma Place.

🐦 How beautiful: Muir Parkway and Audubon Avenue in Hilliard are named for famous naturalists. Nearby streets are named after types of birds.

😬 Don't get lost: A collection of condos, also in Hilliard, are surrounded by Coventry Manor Way, Coventry Bend Drive, Coventry Cross Lane, Coventry Meadow Lane, Coventry Lake Drive and Coventry Hurst Lane.

• … that must be rough for delivery drivers.