Heritage Edition – History and Legacy of Love Rocks
Image via Emily Neuburger
June 8, 2022
The story of love rocks is well known and widely spread over the world, especially in our town Forest Grove, where the tradition originated. From the great tragedy of Anna and Abby’s death grew the Love Rocks tradition. The goal with Love Rocks is to spread a little bit of joy in the life of whoever finds the rock. There come a lot of times in life where things are just not going right, and “in those times, it’s important to remember the beauty in life, love, and knowing that God can — and will — bring a peace that surpasses all understanding.” The wholesome tradition of spreading joy and love in people’s lives through rocks has spread over, “Africa, Asia, South America, Europe, Australia, and Antarctica” (Love-Rocks.org). Photos of Love Rocks can be found in places all over the world, like the Great Wall of China and the Eiffel tower.
Anna and Abby’s parents did not want the tragedy of their daughter’s deaths to destroy their legacy and the joy they brought to others during their life on Earth. They shortly decided that “their legacy would not be this tragedy but rather the love and joy that they poured out to everyone who knew them and hopefully everyone who would hear their story.”
About a year and a half after the death of Anna and Abby, their parents remembered a project they did at their wedding. “The girls, Tom’s mom, and I spent time cutting out fabric hearts from our favorite fabrics and then Mod Podging them to river rocks,” they gave these rocks to their guests to take home and have a little joy in their life (Love Drenched Life). On April 20th, Susan (Anna and Abby’s mom) launched a Facebook page for Love Rocks. She shared her story and the goal behind the Love Rocks, along with a video tutorial on how to make them.
As Susan published this page, she was fully prepared for nothing to happen at all, but the widespread of Love Rocks and her family’s story was bigger than she ever dreamed. “There have been so many stories of how these little rocks with fabric hearts have found their rightful owner just when they needed it most.” Love Rocks have definitely warmed the hearts of those who find and make them. They have brought lots of Joy and Love to this world, which is in desperate need of it.
Susan shared that, “the inspiration for Love Rocks comes from Anna, Abigail, and our loving community that supported us and continues to care for us.” Remembering Anna and Abby and everything they stand for now and before is definitely not difficult. Their death affected their family and the community of Forest Grove deeply, but at least joy, love, and hope grew from the tragedy and made a big impact on the world. Love Rocks have changed many lives and given people a little bit of joy when needed.
