Whatever your relationship status, I’d like to wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day. 💖
Yes, this is the Hallmark holiday of heart-shaped chocolates, prix fixe menus, and romantic playlists. The holiday that seems designed to remind us who’s coupled, who’s single, who’s “it’s complicated,” and who’s pretending they don’t care while absolutely caring more than just a little.
But I want to zoom out for a second. Because love is so much bigger than roses and a romantic dinner for two (or more).
Love is love is love is love.
And it shows up in more ways than we’ll ever know.
Love is romantic, sure. It’s butterflies and late-night texts. The thrill of being “in love.” It’s holding hands in public, inside jokes, and the quiet comfort of being chosen.
But love is also platonic. It’s the friends who feel like family. The people who know your history, your patterns, your worst coping mechanisms, and still manage to love you anyway. The ones who check in, show up, and hold space when things fall apart.
As brothers from other mothers (and sisters from other misters), I hope you know you are loved and appreciated. Not for what you do, not for how productive or polished or put-together you are. But simply for being you, boo. For existing in this crazy world.
Love is chosen family.
Love is found family.
Love is the group chat that never sleeps.
Love is the friend who brings tea and a casserole.
Love is the ones who send memes instead of advice because they know that’s what you actually need.
Love is self-love too, which might be the hardest and most radical kind of all. It’s learning how to talk to yourself with kindness. It’s setting boundaries. It’s resting without guilt. It’s choosing healing over hustle, softness over self-criticism.
Love is staying.
Love is listening.
Love is laughing.
Love is forgiving.
Love is trying again.
Whether you’re spending today with a partner, with friends, with family, with furry kid(s), or with a pint of ice cream, I hope you can feel the love. Not the performative, just-for-Instagram kind. But real, simple love.
The kind that says, “You matter more than words can convey or say.”
That’s the love worth celebrating. Today and every day. 💘
Keep calm and love on!
Clint 🌈✌️
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FROM THE ARCHIVE
BORN THIS WAY ON THIS DAY
02-14 = Josh Senter (1980- ) = American screenwriter and producer 🌈
02-14 = Kevyn Aucoin (1962-2002) = American makeup artist and author 🌈
02-14 = Nina Hamnett (1890-1956) = British artist 🌈
MAN CRUSH OF THE DAY
“Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices. Today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.”
Kevyn Aucoin
Thank you Clint. You remind me that we've been here forever. I've said this before... it's good to see men together, relaxed and smiling. Our world needs more of this. Thanks for the message from Kevyn Aucoin... the importance of experiencing all in life, the great and the not-so-great. All the best to you!
Clint,; thank you for all the memories you bring back of all those that are no longer with us physically. Really thank you fpr Kevyn Aucoin memories--Louisiana men are special to me.
Marty