While the people behind Fifty Shades of Grey are capitalizing on the so called love holiday, some people are thinking about actual love. Our pursuit of love and happiness is why we put up with bad dates, Jedi mind tricks, and disappointment. We all hope that it is going to eventually lead us to real love.

Everyone has a broader meaning of love and what it is to them. Sometimes we forget how scary it can be just saying the words “I love you” and really mean it. Is Valentine’s Day a good opportunity to say these words if you feel the emotion?

What does the word mean to you? Who was your first love? When should you say I love you?

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Students at Carver Early College School of Technology attend the school’s art class on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools plans to convert the campus to a school of the arts that will serve grades 6-12. The plan depends on voters extending a one-cent sales tax for education. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller