My brother, Clay, married his longtime partner, Drew, in the most beautiful ceremony a couple years ago in New York. The wedding was in this elaborate tent and the program was filled with performances by them and all their talented friends in the entertainment industry. It was designed to gradually build all night until the culminating event was them stepping into the center of the circle and we were invited to surround them, as family and friends, in these waves of love both physically and emotionally encircling them as they said their vows and officially pledged their love and commitment to one another. Standing in that circle around them, I was so overcome with emotion. It was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve witnessed, nothing but deep, sincere LOVE and we were literally all surrounded by it. It was interesting because as I stood there, I remembered that when my husband and I got married and pledged our love it was in a very different room but the people actually made the exact same shape. We were in the center and were surrounded on all sides by all of our friends and family everywhere we looked. I remember feeling the same feeling: overwhelmingly filled and surrounded by LOVE.

A few years ago, I did a series of paintings for Valentines Day titled “Love Stories” and explored all the different definitions of what love is— parental love, romantic love, love for hobbies, love for nature, love for self, etc. It’s a theme I keep revisiting in my work because I think it unites us as humans to realize how alike we truly all are. I painted this specifically for my brother and his husband as a wedding present (they were so patient… so it ended up being a “first anniversary… and then some” present 😉), but I hope the idea can resonate with all of us. At the end of the day, we are all humans who want to be loved and if we’re lucky enough to stand in anyone else’s circle of love and give them our love, that seems simple enough to do. Let’s just love more ❤️

And here’s to Clay and Drew! They inspire me so much as two of the most LOVING humans I’ve ever met. They are both so kind and gracious and make such a point to include and forgive and reach out and I will always be their biggest fan. Congrats to @claybythebay and @drew_brody @boweryprinces ❤️

“Circle of Love” (prints available at stephaniehock.com)