The case for getting the shit kicked out of you by love

Why "Love Actually" Matters

Happy Valentine’s Day! I wrote this essay for Mother Jones in 2013. I have some mixed feelings about parts of it now. I wrote it right after breaking up with someone and a lot of it is sort of emo-y. But it’s probably the most viral thing I’ve ever written so it really resounded with people—and it’s the rom-com content you need today.

Once upon a time a …