Love is in the air, sweet friends! Whether you think Valentine’s Day is a huge commercial scam (a justifiable stance given consumer spending is expected to be around $27billion worldwide this year), or the most important day on the calendar (you do you, boo), we can probably all agree that love rules. Whether it’s the love of a friend group chat, the sight of seeing two old people in love, the love of your lover, the love of your craft, or the love of your houseplant whom you tenderly water once a week, can we all take a moment to appreciate that Love. Is. The. Best?
If you’re alone this V Day, remember that love doesn’t have to be confined to another person. Go fall in love with your city, instead: Treat yourself to a coffee and cake, take a stroll through the park, revel in your ability to spend as much time as you fancy perusing your favourite museum’s gift shop. After you’re done, call your mum (or your sister or your friend) and remind them of all the ways they make your heart feel so full each day.
If you’re with your friends or significant other on the big day of lurve, pack a banquet full of their favourite food and go gaze adoringly into one another’s eyes and/or at your marvellously cute picnic arrangement on a grassy knoll somewhere, optional champagne in hand.
Or don’t! This is your Valentine’s Day, not ours.
Regardless of how you’re planning on spending the day (or even whether you intend to acknowledge its existence at all), we highly recommend reading the sweet musings on love from some of our favourite people below. Find joy in their daily joys, fill your ears with their favourite love songs, your hearts with their anecdotes on love, and your mind with all their thoughts on why all types of love should carry equal weight.
Kiesha Bovill
Who was your first ever crush?
Batman!
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Mother Earth.
Best love song of all time in your opinion?
‘Crazy In love’ by Beyoncé.
Most therapeutic rom-com to watch during a breakup (or when you just feel like a good cry)?
Romeo and Juliet (1996) by Baz Luhrmann.
Roses or chocolates?
Roses!
On Dolly Alderton’s podcast Love Stories, Vanessa Kirby says that we should “put more romance into your friendships and more friendship into your romance.” What do you make of this?
I believe there are multiple types of love, so I think balance is key and that it’s important to make sure feelings and intentions are clear between both parties before mixing friendships with romance. In general, I think love should be expressed more in all areas of life and in all our relationships!
How do you find joy in everyday life?
Tell the people closest to you that you love them and drink plenty of water!
Otis Giovanni
Who was your first ever crush?
Cortana from Halo 2.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Freedom, water and Cathy Wolf.
Best love song of all time in your opinion?
‘Oh Honey’ by Delegation or ‘Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais’ by Serge Gainsbourg.
Most therapeutic rom com to watch during a breakup (or when you just feel like a good cry)?
Gossip Girl.
Roses or chocolates?
Roses.
On Dolly Alderton’s podcast Love Stories, Vanessa Kirby says that we should “put more romance into your friendships and more friendship into your romance.” What do you make of this?
I think she means to apply the same sort of energy you put into romantic relationships into a friendship, and channel it into love, loyalty and positivity towards your friends. And, in your love life, gain that trust and comradery that you have in your friendships with your lover.
How do you find joy in everyday life?
By learning and staying close to the people I love.
Cathy Wolf
Who was your first ever crush?
I genuinely don’t remember :/.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Music and my boyfriend, Otis.
Best love song of all time in your opinion?
‘My Baby’ by Chief Keef.
Most therapeutic rom com to watch during a breakup (or when you just feel like a good cry)?
I grew up binge watching Gossip Girl. Although it’s not a rom-com, it has definitely got me through some sad times.
Roses or chocolates?
Roses, all day, every day :).
On Dolly Alderton’s podcast Love Stories, Vanessa Kirby says that we should “put more romance into your friendships and more friendship into your romance.” What do you make of this?
My boyfriend is my best friend, so I feel like this statement is very true. I feel like a relationship should be built upon friendship and not just romance to really make it last. As for friendship, the love you would put into a relationship, even though it might be expressed differently, should show a similar type of devotion to that person.
How do you find joy in everyday life?
I find genuine joy in making other people happy, even if it’s the smallest thing, like getting coffee or making pancakes. A little smile is all I need to find joy in everyday life.
Aidan Ouma-Machio
Who was your first ever crush?
Probably some girl I went to school with. If we’re talking famous people, then I’ll have to say Nikki Webster.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
A girl I met in Europe in 2018 :).
Best love song of all time in your opinion?
‘What You Won’t Do for Love’ by Bobby Cladwell.
Most therapeutic rom-com to watch during a breakup (or when you just feel like a good cry)?
I don’t watch rom-coms, they’re not my kind of vibe. Music is more therapeutic.
Roses or chocolates?
If I’m the receiver, chocolate without a doubt. Flowers are better appreciated in the ground.
On Dolly Alderton’s podcast Love Stories, Vanessa Kirby says that we should “put more romance into your friendships and more friendship into your romance.” What do you make of this?
I agree, true romance can blossom out of friendships and all our friendships need some love.
How do you find joy in everyday life?
I find joy through skateboarding, music and art, and experiencing new things with great people.
Zoe Takala
Who was your first ever crush?
My first ever crush was Britney Spears, but I didn’t know it at the time. I got the ‘Toxic’ music video on DVD for a birthday when I was about 7, and got so overwhelmed watching it, I broke the DVD into chunks and threw it into the bin. [Laughs].
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
That’s a big question. I think it’s hard to pick one person or thing or experience. I have experiences of great love every day. Whether it’s sharing a moment with Phoebe, or sitting with my closest friends eating dinner and knowing you are with your people. Or even a moment where I am proud of my own growth and enjoy a moment of self-love. Why limit it to one?
Best love song of all time in your opinion?
‘Lover, You Should’ve Come Over’ by Jeff Buckley or ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ by Billie Holiday.
Most therapeutic rom-com to watch during a breakup (or when you just feel like a good cry)?
I don’t really watch rom-coms, I haven’t even seen Love Actually [laughs]. I don’t think I’m one to watch break up movies but I definitely ball my eyes out during The Notebook.
Roses or chocolates?
Rose 31 EDP by Le Labo, or L’Artisan Arcana Rosa EDP. Is that close enough?
On Dolly Alderton’s podcast Love Stories, Vanessa Kirby says that we should “put more romance into your friendships and more friendship into your romance.” What do you make of this?
I think the differences between platonic and romantic love aren’t as broad or different as people tend to believe. I don’t think it’s necessarily a matter of putting romance into friendships or vice versa, but of understanding the importance of all types of love in your life.
On another note, I am not very physically affectionate, but my friend Indra has literally forced me to start cuddling her. So, I guess that’s a bit of romance.
How do you find joy in everyday life?
By looking out for the small everyday moments of beauty, like a good sunset on your walk home from work or a moment or smell that sets off a wave nostalgia.
Phoebe Dešković
Who was your first ever crush?
I think I had MANY crushes. I can’t remember and specific celebrities. I named one of my first pets after JLo and had a phat crush on one of my teachers when I was five. I also didn’t know I was a little gay baby, so I was a bit confused. I was constantly waiting for my boy crush to come through, which he never did. I guess that’s why I can’t remember too many.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
I don’t really think about the “greatest love of my life”. I feel that if you’re constantly waiting for the “greatest” of anything, you end up missing out on other beautiful moments and new forms of love which you’d never thought you’d experience. But for now, I’m 23 and just only realising that I can love whoever I want and that’s okay.
Best love song of all time in your opinion?
I don’t know about “best of all time”. It changes all the time. An upbeat track would be ‘Sexual Healing’ by Marvin Gaye, but the more honest response would be ‘Self Control’ by Frank Ocean.
Most therapeutic rom-com to watch during a breakup (or when you just feel like a good cry)?
I don’t really watch rom-coms for a cathartic break; I really believe in working through it. During my most recent breakup, I focused on grounding myself and communicating through my art. Painting was really therapeutic and helped me process the good and bad emotions.
Roses or chocolates?
Both. And Oysters. But the best bit is, I’ll return the favour.
On Dolly Alderton’s podcast Love Stories, Vanessa Kirby says that we should “put more romance into your friendships and more friendship into your romance.” What do you make of this?
I really agree with this statement. I only realised the severity of my broken and toxic relationship when I started to spend more time with a better group of friends and view the relationships between them. The way they cared for each other was beautiful and the bare minimum respect and nurturance between them was less than what I was experiencing in a long term relationship. I think it’s important to show the people around you how much you care and love for them so that they know what to expect when looking for that in a romantic partner. I love spoiling my friends, taking them out to eat and taking them out on ‘dates’. I also love having a deep trust and friendship with my romantic partner.
How do you find joy in everyday life?
I think it’s by stopping and letting yourself have childlike responses to little singular experiences or things. For instance, I love getting a mocha on a Sunday—I call it my ‘Sunday special’—but then that might also happen on a Wednesday (and that’s okay). It makes me feel full of joy. That’s just one example, but I think when you slow down in life and stop rushing, you begin to notice the little things that bring joy into your life.
Kristen Apollos
Who was your first ever crush?
I remember being seven and watching Rihanna shake her booty to ‘Pon De Replay’. I have been crushing on the KWEEN ever since.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Me, duhhhhh! [Laughs]. Self-love and shit.
Best love song of all time in your opinion?
‘I Put a Spell on You’ by Nina Simone.
Most therapeutic rom com to watch during a breakup (or when you just feel like a good cry)?
To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever cried in a rom com, but my fave rom-com is 10 Things I Hate About You (probably because I have a crush on the main character’s bad b*tch attitude).
Roses or chocolates?
Roses 🌹. I’m not much of a sweet tooth, but I’m obsessed with scent.
On Dolly Alderton’s podcast Love Stories, Vanessa Kirby says that we should “put more romance into your friendships and more friendship into your romance.” What do you make of this?
I think it’s important to put more romance into friendships, to remind our friends that they’re sexy and cute. At times, when we don’t have a significant other, we can be each other’s. It’s important to tell your friends that they’re special and you love them.
When it comes to putting friendship into relationships, I’m personally not attracted to someone unless we’ve started out as friends. I want to be with someone I can have fun with, talk shit to and relate with. Also, being able to see eye-to-eye, building foundations and resolving conflict outside of the bedroom. I believe having a friend in your lover helps build a stronger relationship.
How do you find joy in everyday life?
My morning routine and sending love to all my cuties 💋💋.
Features Editor: Madeleine Woon Photos: Ben Sullivan Fashion: Imogen Wilson
Aidan, Kiesha, Kristen and Phoebe are represented by Kult
Cathy is represented by IMG
Otis is represented by Chadwick
Zoe is represented by Priscillas
