Historians said Benny and Marci were really good friends, and they were right. With Valentine’s Day drawing near, the romantics are replacing their winter blankets with teddy bears and chocolate hearts. For the rest of us, this day of love may be reduced to the simplicity of a typical day. How can it be any different without romantic and affectionate affairs? A normal day is simply full of love, regardless of a holiday, and regardless of romantics. Intimacy is not reserved exclusively for romance—our platonic love agenda ensures that.
Not to throw the word soulmates around loosely, but that’s just the reality of our friendship. We’re the same person in a different font, or perhaps our differences from each other make us seem so similar. We’re the extrovert-introvert pair that balance out. We’re dinner and mukbangs, sun and moon, LO$ER and LO♡ER, two sides of the same coin.
Forget Romeo and Juliet for one second. Our retelling fixates on a very particular platonic subtext. Benvolio and Mercutio are hardly separated during the play. They are attached at the hip, moving through the currents of a Shakespearean love for tragedy with only their humor and intimacy as a lifeline. The two have more differences than similarities, yet the nature of Benvolio’s level-headedness and Mercutio’s hot-temper isn’t enough to hinder their companionship. If anything, the polarity of their personalities is what strengthens the bond between them. Like us, Benny and Marci have the complimentary joy that comes with finding your other half.
Platonic love is just as fulfilling, rewarding, and intimate. An affinity for love that is romantic or sexual is not the only type of love to celebrate this Valentine’s day.
Creative Direction and talent by Fai McCurdy and Bri Shufford.
Words by Bri Shufford.
Styling by Rhea Gupta.
Makeup by Wyatt March.
Photography by Joe Tankersley.