Why We Should Embrace Platonic Love

By: Dani Kessel

I have never particularly understood the hesitation in expressing love of all forms. 

Our society puts such a heavy focus on romantic and sexual love, but why can’t we express platonic love? I don’t get the stigma towards developing close bonds with folks you aren’t romantically/sexually intertwined with. Best friends fill such a huge position in folks’ lives, and they should be recognized for their amazingness!

Friends deserve to share real connections with one another. Intimacy isn’t just sexual. Intimacy includes talking about meaningful topics, expressing vulnerability, hugging each other, supporting each other, spending quality time together, discussing shared interests. I don’t think there is anything wrong with doing those things. Friends should lift each other up and share in each other’s accomplishments, celebrations, missteps, fears, hesitations, etc. 

We should embrace platonic love to its fullest.

Take time out of your day to see your friends. 

Send them a funny picture just to let them know that you’re thinking of them.

Offer support whenever you can.

Love each other fully, and make that known. 

Please, tell your friends that you love them! 

I try to make sure that I do this all the time. My best friends and sisters are some of the people I care about most in this world. I don’t want any day to go by when they question their value in my life. I shower them with completely genuine compliments. I praise their successes, and remind them that their failures don’t define them. I make sure that they know I am here to love them unconditionally for as long as they want me in their lives. Maybe I feel this way because I was bullied throughout my whole childhood. Maybe I crave closeness because I lacked that at a young age.. Regardless of the possible reasoning, I will continue to hold these people close to my heart.

I really hope that you cherish your friends just as much as you cherish your partner/s. If you do, take the time to remind them of how important they are in your life. You never know when someone will be gone. That’s one of the saddest in this world. But, you can never say “I love you” too much. That’s one of the happiest truths. Make your love the last thing you say.