We Should Be Spreading Love, No Matter The Kind

Feb 13, 2026by Megan Marie

written by Isabel Schley & Megan Marie

Spread the Love, Whatever the Kind

Remember in first grade when everyone showed up with a Valentine’s card box decorated in construction paper and glitter?

Every kid walked around the classroom with butterflies in their stomachs, passing out tiny envelopes stuffed with candy hearts and aggressively pink cardstock.

You gave one to everyone. Not just your best friend. Not just your crush. Everyone.

Sure, maybe there was one card you picked out very carefully for the person who chased after you on the playground. Maybe you didn’t even know what a crush was yet.

But the point wasn’t romance.

It was love. In its purest, most uncomplicated form.

Let’s be real for a second.

Valentine’s Day has become… a lot. Pricey menus. Red roses with a 400% markup. The pressure to prove something. The subtle panic of “Do I have plans?” The temptation to roll your eyes at the capitalism of it all and opt out entirely.

And honestly, that's fair, but it's not where Valentines' Day came from. Valentines' Day is supposed to be about honoring what it means to show and experience love.

Instead of being cynical, what if we just did it differently this year?

Let’s make Valentine’s Day a little less about candlelit intensity and tap back into that first-grade energy.

Yes, if you have someone you want to share a romantic evening with, we’re all for it. Light the candles. Wear the outfit. Make out in public. Buy the roses and Massage Butter. But don’t miss the other love quietly holding your life together.

Romance is amazing. Keep it if you have it and put your energy into.

But love? Love reaches further than just candlelight and grand gestures. It's inside jokes, blended Spotify playlists, Grammy parties, shopping sprees, coffee walks, and calling your mom.

You might not have a classroom of 25 seven-year-olds anymore. But you do have a whole cast of side characters who make your life better.

Take a minute to think on it. Who comes to mind?

The mail carrier who always gives your dog a treat.
Baristas who know your order by heart.
Coworkers who make meetings bearable.
Friends who show up with takeout and zero judgment.
The neighbor with the cute dog.
Your grandma.
Your big brother.
Your little sister.

In the next week or so, find these side characters and send a quick text. Write a card. Bake some cookies. Hit em with a, “Love you, man.”

Leave a bigger tip. Give a longer hug.

Make it platonic.
Make it familial.
Make it random.
Make it wildly unserious.

Here are a some ideas of simple ways to show love to everyone:

Text someone, “I was just thinking about you and I’m really glad you’re in my life.”
Leave a handwritten note in your kid’s backpack or your partner’s coat pocket.
Call your grandparents and ask them to tell you a story you’ve never heard.
Venmo your friend $5 for coffee with a “love you” note attached.
Compliment a coworker in front of your boss.
Drop off flowers or cookies at a neighbor’s door for no reason at all.
Leave an extra-generous tip with a smiley face on the receipt.
Send your sibling a throwback photo and remind them you survived childhood together.
Ask your partner, “What would make you feel really loved this week?” — and then do it.
Buy the candy hearts. Hand them out like you’re eight again.
Write a Google review for a small business you genuinely love.
Offer to babysit for free so a tired parent can breathe.
Sit next to someone instead of across from them.
Hug longer than you normally would.
Tell your mail carrier thank you — by name.
Bring coffee to your team on a random Tuesday.
Make a Valentine Card box for your family
Hide Hershey kisses in someone's shoes
Plan a cozy night in with candles and Massage Butter
Look someone in the eye and say, “I appreciate you.”
Send a “proud of you” text to someone who doesn’t hear it enough.
Bring your grandma her favorite pastry and sit down for a real conversation.
Write a love letter
DM a creator, artist, or small business owner and tell them their work matters.
Make homemade Valentine's for anyone you can think of

I mean just think about how much you appreciate that friend who lets you cry on their couch.
The sibling who roasts you and always has your back.
Coworkers who cover your shift.

A little gesture goes a long way and we could all use more of these.

The beautiful thing about love is that it never shrinks when shared. It spreads into the days of other people and usually reaches a ripple of total strangers.

Valentine’s Day is love day. All the love.

I mean come onnnnn, why not?

Wear pink, eat some candy, and spread it around.