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Happy weekend, Palmetto Parent!

We hope you’ve been soaking up this gorgeous weather—it’s been a beautiful week, and there are plenty more nice days ahead. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the next couple weeks are packed with fun events for families to enjoy. In our event section we have a full round up of Valentines celebrations going on around town for families, date nights, and girls nights. You also will get the details on how to get a free cup of coffee at Cafe de Fleur on Valentines Day!

Unfortunately, sickness made its way back into our home. Even though it feels like spring outside, winter illnesses are still making the rounds. On a lighter note, we couldn’t help but smile at Summers Corners clever sign this week—it gave us a much-needed laugh.

TO DO

Family Friendly Pub Runs with Fleet Feet

Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, Fleet Feet’s free monthly Pub Runs on offer a fantastic way to stay active, spend time with family, and connect with the local running community. These family-friendly events feature a three-mile route that ends at a local pub and showcases top running brands, giving participants a chance to try out new gear in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. All paces are welcome—you can run, jog, or even walk the route. All runs are at 6:30pm on Wednesday nights. January’s run, which ended at Godwin’s, featured Asics, and the upcoming events promise to be just as fun.

Upcoming Pub Runs

• Teddy Bear Trot – February 12th

  • Starts & ends at Kickin’ Chicken

  • Features Karhu Running Shoes

  • Charity Partner: Fleet Feet is teaming up with Closet of Hope SC, which supports local foster children. Participants are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to donate to a child in foster care.

• Catch the Leprechaun Run – March 5th

  • Starts & ends at The Pickle Bar (Nexton)

  • Features Altra Running Shoes

• Basketball Run – March 26th

  • Also at The Pickle Bar (Nexton)

  • Features Mizuno Running Shoes

You can find the full schedule of pub runs in the coming months here.

Looking for a Weekly Running Group?

If you want to run more often, Fleet Feet also hosts free Monday night runs at 6:30 PM from all of their store locations. These weekly runs offer one-, three-, and five-mile routes and welcome all paces and experience levels.

📍 Summerville Location (Downtown): 117 E Richardson Ave
📍 Carnes Crossroads Location: 2509 North Main Street

A Great Place to Start Your Running Journey

I personally haven’t run in years but recently started training for the Bridge Run, so I stopped by Fleet Feet for a shoe fitting—and it was a fantastic experience. Daniel is a regular customer for his marathon training needs, and even our toddler loves visiting the store to play with the toys while we shop.

If you’re thinking about starting (or restarting) your running journey, Fleet Feet is the perfect place to begin. Whether you’re looking for the right gear, a fun event to get moving, or a community to support your goals, they’ve got you covered. And the best part? They welcome families—so whether your kids are running alongside you or riding in a stroller, they can be part of the experience, too.

LOCAL EVENT

Valentines and Galentines Round Up

Summerville has an impressive line up of events to help celebrate with all your Valentines and especially your Galentines (like seriously, there’s a lot of Galentines events 😂). Check out our list to see what’s exciting to you.

For the family:

• Valentines Party at Tweedle Beetle on Tuesday, February 11th from 3:30-4:30pm. Come to Tweedle Beetle, a boutique for babies and kids, to do Valentine’s crafts and enjoy a treat. The event is free and open to kids of all ages. RSVP and comment how many in your family are coming so they can have enough supplies!

• Valentines Succulent Flower Crowns with Goats and Cows at Flowertown Charm Farm on Saturday, February 15th from 2:30-4pm. Rocks n’ Roots Plant Co. will guide you through making succulent flower crowns and you can get cuddly with cute farm animals. Buy pairs of tickets for $85. You can buy tickets and reserve your spot here.

• Puppy Love Adoption Event at Bolts & Brews Beer Garden on Saturday, February 15th from 3-6pm. For a $10 fee you’ll get to “speed date” with all the adorable dogs. You can also enjoy live music, get food from delicious food and dessert trucks, and enjoy your favorite brews.

• Summers Corner Valentines Brunch for residents on Saturday, February 8th from 9am-12pm. Featuring kids crafts, photo ops, and food trucks.

For your Valentine:

• Dance Lessons and Axe Throwing at Lumber Jill’s on Saturday, February 15th from 6-8pm. For $124/couple you get an evening with dinner, dessert, two drink tickets, flowers, a tasting with Holy City Brewery, a fun beginner dance class, and axe throwing. You can purchase tickets here and reserve your spot.

• Valentine’s Day Party at the newly revamped Luxe Bar & Bistro from 6-10pm on Friday, February 14th featuring live music with Tanner Beane.

• Valentine Date Night at PepperJack Pottery with your own charcuterie cup, decorations, and wine glasses and corks ready for BYOB and a night of painting on Friday, February 14th from 6-8pm. Tickets are $15/person and you can purchase them here and reserve your spot.

• Valentine’s Torch Lit Boat Rides at Cypress Gardens on Friday, February 14th. Reservations still available at 6:30 and 8:30pm. $75/couple include hor d’oeuvres, indoor exhibits, keepsakes, and a torch lit boat ride. Call 843-553-0515 and ask for the gift shop for reservations.

For your Galentines:

• Galentines Bestie Brunch at The Knot Burger Pub on Sunday, February 16th from 11am-4pm. Lots of local vendors and treats. Free entry and a free mimosa with a feminine hygiene product donation.

• Galentines at Throw Lumber Jill’s on Friday, February 14th from 7:30-9:30pm. $60 tickets include a cake decorating class, a glass of champagne, yummy snacks, and axe throwing. Get your tickets here.

• Wine glass painting nights at Wine & Tapas downtown Summerville on Tuesdays nights (2/11, 2/18, 2/25) at 6:30pm. $34 tickets include all needed materials. Book your tickets here.

• Galentines Party at Wine & Tapas on Thursday, February 13th at 6pm with female vendors, specialty cocktails, and live music.

• Galentines Day at PepperJack Pottery featuring charcuterie packs, painting and wine glasses for BYOB. Limited tickets are $15 and available on Wednesday 2/13 and Saturday 2/15 from 6-8pm. Buy tickets here.

SPONSORED BY

Boba Fusion

Boba Fusion Milk Tea: Summerville’s New Must-Try Bubble Tea Spot

If you’re looking for a new favorite bubble tea shop, you’re in luck—Boba Fusion Milk Tea has officially arrived in Summerville! Opened the day after Christmas, this locally owned gem off Old Trolley Road brings a wide variety of milk teas, smoothies, frappes, and iced coffees, along with an incredible selection of fresh-baked pastries and premium ice cream treats.

More Than Just Boba

While their milk tea menu is packed with delicious flavors, Boba Fusion is also a dessert lover’s dream. They serve up freshly baked cookies, turnovers, and danishes, along with eight flavors of Tillamook ice cream—perfect for pairing with their unique waffle nachos or rolled bubble waffles.

When we stopped in, our toddler happily snacked on cookies while Daniel tried a Guava Jasmine Green Tea with passionfruit popping boba. With so many unique drink and dessert options, we already know we’ll be coming back to try more!

A Flavor for Everyone

No matter your taste, Boba Fusion has something for you. They offer classic drink flavors like lemon, caramel, and lavender, but also super unique options like kettle corn, huckleberry, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Whether you’re a boba enthusiast or just trying bubble tea for the first time, you’ll find something to love. Check out their menu to see for yourself!

Diet-Friendly Options

• Dairy-Free? No problem! They offer plenty of dairy-free choices and even have a separate blender for dairy-free items.

• Sugar-Free? They also provide a large variety of sugar-free flavors, so you can customize your drink just how you like it.

Locally Owned, Family-Run Business

What makes Boba Fusion even more special is the story behind it. Owners Thera and Jesse, Summerville locals and fellow parents, have been dreaming of opening their own boba shop for nearly a decade. When they moved to the area nine years ago, they noticed there were no bubble tea spots nearby, but the timing wasn’t right to start their business. After years of planning—and a long construction process—they finally opened their doors the day after Christmas.

Now, they’re excited to share their love of boba with the community, and we couldn’t be happier to support them. So, if you’re looking for a new go-to drink spot, stop by Boba Fusion Milk Tea, try something delicious, and give them a warm Summerville welcome!

📍 Location: 1580 Old Trolley Road, Summerville, SC
📍 Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday/Saturday 10am-8pm, Closed Sunday

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Free Coffee at Cafe de Fleur

Join the Dream Maker Agent at Cafe de Fleur downtown Summerville on Valentines Day between 8-9:30am to get a free cup of coffee! Meet with other members of the community or enjoy some family time and start Valentines Day off right.

Susan McDonald of the Greater Things Learning Center will also be there to talk about their after school and hybrid homeschool programs. Their programs emphasize critical thinking, communication skills, and creativity and gives kids opportunities to learn things like Spanish, cooking, gardening, repurposing furniture, chess, and art. Their programs are hosted at Old Fort Baptist Church in Summerville and the after school program currently services students at Beech Hill, Sand Hill, and Flowertown schools. If you’re interested in the hybrid homeschool program, Susan is the founder and this is the perfect time to meet her.

PALMETTO PIECE

Adult Friendship: What Matters Most

As adults, friendships often look different than they did in childhood. We don’t see our friends every day at school or have hours to spend together without obligations pulling us in different directions. Instead, friendships are built in the margins of busy schedules, through text check-ins, coffee dates squeezed into a lunch break, or showing up when it matters most.

So, what is it that adults value most in friendship? Research and experience both point to a few key qualities: trust, consistency, and understanding. We long for friendships where we feel safe to be ourselves, where life’s highs are celebrated and its lows are met with support. A good friend isn’t necessarily the one who is always present but rather the one who remains present in the ways that matter—even when life is hectic.

How to Be a Good Friend in Adulthood

1. Be intentional – Friendships don’t happen by accident. Reach out, send the text, schedule the lunch, or drop a voice memo just to say, “Thinking of you.” Small gestures go a long way in making people feel seen.

2. Listen more than you talk – In a world where everyone is trying to be heard, being the friend who listens—really listens—is a gift. Whether someone is celebrating or struggling, being there to hear them without rushing to respond or fix things builds deeper trust.

3. Celebrate the small things – Friendships thrive on recognition and encouragement. Whether it’s a new job, a parenting milestone, or just surviving a hard week, taking time to cheer on your friends strengthens the bond you share.

4. Offer grace and understanding – Life is unpredictable, and sometimes friends disappear for a season. Instead of taking it personally, practice grace. The best friendships aren’t defined by constant presence but by the ability to pick up right where you left off, no matter how much time has passed.

5. Show up when it matters – True friendship is about being there in the moments that count. Whether it’s showing up with soup when they’re sick, celebrating their big wins, or simply sending a text that says, “I know today is hard,” the most meaningful friendships are rooted in thoughtful presence.

At the end of the day, being a good friend isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about consistency, kindness, and making sure the people in your life know they matter. In a world that can often feel isolating, friendship is one of the greatest gifts we can offer each other. So, take a moment today to reach out, check in, and remind someone that they are valued. It just might make all the difference.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 

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