By KATARINA ILIC

Love & Sex Editor, SNSPost.com

So today is the big day…it’s Valentine’s Day…

Or it’s just Tuesday, however you choose to look at it.

I know that this Hallmark holiday evokes a whole spectrum of emotions in people.  The sappy romantics love it and eat it up and use it as an opportunity to be extra mushy-gushy.  The cynical critics despise it and swing to the other extreme, making Valentine’s Day boycott plans with their friends.  And others just see it as a regular ole day.  Business as usual.

But if it inspires this…

…I think that’s great.  {So sweet}

I get it, though, the beef people have with this “holiday” is that you shouldn’t need a specific day to tell people you love them.  That you should be expressing your love all year round.  That this just adds unnecessary pressure to relationships and not to mention an element of force and pretense.  I concur.  But nevertheless, let’s allow those who enjoy it, revel in it and others can go about with their lives normally without the need to be “haters”.

I realize, however, if you live in America (I do not), it’s kind of hard to ignore this day because you’re bombarded with it everywhere you go.  It’s so in your face.  And for those who would like to be in love, this is a glaring reminder that they are not.  Or perhaps it leads some to contemplate past relationships and feel kinda like this…

It’s natural to look back on relationships that didn’t “work out” and wonder what you did wrong.  But you didn’t do anything wrong.  Sure you can learn from your experiences but don’t go down the “there’s-something-wrong-with-me” road.

You are lovable and you are worthy of love.  In fact, you ARE love.

So to those of you who are feeling down or discouraged today…And remember, you are…

So I send you this…

And hope that, no matter what your “relationship status” is, you experience love all around you today and every day.

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