International Love
Love, a universal concept, is in the air today. It’s Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate love and affection between couples.
It may sound different but in every nation, every culture, and in every language, but the notion of “being loved” means the same thing.
Over the weekend I got to know the story behind the red “I am loved” buttons that you maybe have seen around. I found out that the creator of the buttons, Barnett Helzberg Jr., had a personal and romantic story behind the three words that have now become an icon.
Helzberg came up with the “I am Loved” button in 1967 when his fiance accepted his marriage proposal. He was was so ecstatic that she said “yes,” that he wanted the whole world to know that “he was loved.” The buttons were also immediately popular with religious groups delivering messages of love. Schools used the buttons to encourage students and build self-esteem. Everyone connected to the message on the button in their own unique way. It wasn’t long before “I am Loved” spread around the world and Helzberg responded by producing buttons in French, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Japanese, Italian, German, Hebrew, Chinese, and Portuguese. Over 50 million buttons have been given away.
Spread the message of love. Here are a couple of ways,
I am loved.
Soy Amado
Io sono amato
Kto’s Mnie Kocha
Je Suis Aimée
меня любят
אוהבים אותי
What language do you spread the message of love in?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
