Today is Valentine's Day, the international celebration of love and lovers. Some enjoy the day, others do not. Some enjoy spending time with their other half, some feel sad because they do not have a partner. Some feel dislike the day because they see it as a commercialised holiday which is only used by business owners to make more profits.

But it is what it is, and bar the miseries of this world, most people will, to some extent, take a little extra time to make their loved ones feel appreciated.

To this effect, The Malta Independent decided to spread some love with our own little online campaign – Say I love you to someone you don’t like. It  worked... we had people posting on Facebook about Vladimir Putin, Russel Brand, TMI itself (we can poke fun at ourselves too), Joseph Muscat, Simon Busuttil and many others. Internally, we even had staff members poking fun by sending texts to their colleagues.

In Malta, we tend to take things too seriously. At other times, we tend to think that we are the navel of the world and that the only things that are important are what is happening here.

This week, we had a situation where the European Union was gathering for a summit about Greece and there was another one trying to broker peace in the Ukraine. What were we talking about? An art installation opposite the new Parliament building.

But today, as we said, is all about love. In celebrating the day, we decided to interview a gay couple (read page six) and the effect that the new laws for same sex partnerships has had on their relationship.

In truth, gay and lesbian couples have been given recognition, but a lot of attitudes still need to change. Prejudice still exists, but we are confident that in time, we will move past it and mature as a society.

So let the mad dashes to the florists, card shops and confectioners begin. We will see countless men with red faces leaving shops with soft toys, sexy lingerie and women buying watches and jewellery for their partners. The most cheesy will probably have big red heart shaped helium balloons in tow as they head off to organise that surprise date or dinner at home. Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is here to stay. It is a celebration of love. So, even if you do not enjoy it, go on, say I love you – even to someone you might not like.