08/20/2026
One of my favorite parts of Boltz Bash is becoming so deeply invested in my clients’ stories. What begins as one special celebration often grows into years of meaningful milestones, new chapters, and moments worth celebrating together. I get to watch your lives grow and your stories unfold and I never take that privilege lightly.
So, here’s a little piece of ours.
Last night I heard that The Lockview in Akron has closed, and honestly, I cried.
Sixteen years ago this December, Brian took me there on our very first date. I was a month from turning 21 so he took Darby out. IYKYK 😂 I ordered a Raging Bitch IPA, quoted Step Brothers and the rest was pretty much history.
Looking back now, that night was the beginning of our forever.
The Lockview became part of our story. Every year, the day after Christmas, we would go there for a beer and then head across the street to Lock 3 to ice-skate, just like our first date. It became our anniversary tradition and genuinely one of my favorite days of the entire year.
Then, in 2019, we returned after our honeymoon. That year looked a little different. There were no beers and no ice-skating. Instead, we stood outside and took the photo we would use to announce that our family was growing:
“Eight years later, three hearts fonder.”
Eventually, we brought our boys into the tradition. We’d take them to The Lockview, show them where Mom and Dad had their very first date, then walk across the street to Lock 3 and tell them the story of that night. They grew up knowing exactly where our story began and sharing our favorite mac and cheese bites.
It’s funny how a simple restaurant can quietly become the backdrop to so much of your life... a first date, anniversaries, a pregnancy announcement and eventually family traditions with the children who once existed only in your dreams. The Lockview wasn’t just a restaurant to us. It held years of memories and so many different versions of our family.
I’m incredibly sad to see it close, but so grateful it will forever be part of the beginning of our story. 🤍
