A Letter from the Editor

Greetings, bienvenidos.

Valentine’s Day has always been my favorite holiday.

Ever since I could write, I‘ve been giving every person I love a handmade card. Every. Single. One.

Expressing love has always been a top priority for me. I’ve always understood that the capacity to love and be loved complexly, to celebrate it, is what makes us human.

There are many different types of love. Neither should be prioritized over the others, lest you risk creating a toxic disbalance. Familial love is allforgiving and unconditional, but can easily be abused when blindly followed. Romantic love, though intoxicating and intense, can become obsessive and codependent.

In order to love others, you must first learn to love yourself. You are what you love, not who loves you. You can not control who loves you. But you can control who you love. So choose yourself. Choose to chase your own love and admiration before that of others. Relish in being disliked by negative people and enjoy the freedom that self-respect brings. Once you have mastered self-love, loving others comes naturally.

Love is what makes the world go round. I’m not joking. It is what makes parents raise children despite the thankless nights and troublesome teen years. Love inspires people to pursue their passions, even when it doesn’t pay. Love provides strength and validation among friend groups, building lifelong support systems. Love is everything, and it must be celebrated.

This issue is dedicated to the celebration of love. Cooglife’s writers have explored romance, family bonds, self-love and more. As usual, we have a few history lessons scattered throughout the magazine. There’s even an indepth horoscope analysis.

I hope you have an amazing month of love. May your family wrap you in adoration, your friends make you feel like you’re in a movie, and your romance feels like a love song.

And if you’re the cynical type, the kind that’s certainly no one’s going to look your way this Valentine’s day, think again. Consider this my love letter to you, reminding you to love yourself, accept the love of others and appreciate the love you already have.

Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez