"Virginia Is For Lovers"
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15960)
United States
December 2, 2015 4:34pm CST
Today, I was having lunch with some friends and we were talking about Virginia, in general, and one of the gals, who was from Iowa asked a question. She wanted to know what the state motto for Virginia, "Virginia Is For Lovers" really means? Like, why would Virginia choose that for a state motto. To her it seemed weird.
So I was explaining it to her.
Do you love the mountains? Virginia's Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful and majestic. Along with the mountains is the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley, where my brother lives. From his house he can see the mountains and the Interstates 64 and 81 are within a few miles of his town. I love riding up there over Afton Mountain. It's beautiful.
Do you love the beach? Virginia Beach is world famous. We just spent a week there in October. Fantastic beach activities, and numerous seafood restaurants. Entertainment, shopping, and museums. It's a wonderful place to spend a vacation.
Do you love amusement parks? Virginia has Busch Gardens, Water Country and King's Dominion. I've been to both many times.
Do you love history? Virginia is filled with history from the Native Americans. (Pocahontas probably walked on the ground where my house sits.) I live in Matoaca, Virginia. The Revolutionary War and the Civil War and the building of the capital of Washington D.C. all add history to the state of Virginia.
Do you love festivals? There is the oyster festival, the apple festival, and so many other festivals to enjoy the year round.
Do you love rivers? The James River, is famous for many things. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge will also give you a thrill.
Do you love museums and planetariums and the theater? Richmond, the capital city has so many from which to choose.
So WHATEVER YOU LOVE, you will find it in Virginia. That's why the motto says "Virginia Is For Lovers." The gal from Iowa was fascinated with my explanation and the other two "Virginians" said they never knew that's what the motto meant. So, they all learned something new today.
If you ever come to Virginia, You'll need a couple weeks or more, just to see the highlights.
What do you LOVE?
1 response
@connierebel (1557)
• United States
3 Dec 15
I fell in love with Virginia when I was twelve, on a family trip through the Shenandoah Valley. I've gone there on vacation almost every year, and still haven't seen even a fraction of what the state has to offer. Yes, Virginia is for lovers, of all the marvelous features of that gorgeous state. I sure hope I can make Virginia my home state one day! I used to think the motto was kind of weird, because I'm a very unromantic person and don't care a whit about "love," but now I realize it's not romantic love they're talking about. Thanks for the wonderful explanation!
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
3 Dec 15
Yes, that's what its all about. Whatever you LOVE, you can find it in Virginia. I'm so glad that you have been able to visit the Shenandoah Valley. There is nothing like it, except maybe Canaan Valley in West Virginia. That's also an absolutely beautiful place to visit. We used to go snow skiing there quite often.
