Okay, okay so we know, Valentine’s Day isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But surely a designated day for honouring love be it the romantic, platonic or familial kind is something we can all get behind and accept is needed more in this world.In honour of ‘love day’, The Royal Gazette polled several readers in hopes of discovering some of the best lessons they learned about love.Be they single, newly-married or veterans in the game, they all seemed to have useful advice that may help or encourage others, no matter which stage of life you are currently at.Educator Allison Figureido’s relationship with her husband Tim spans more than two decades. For her, romance is more than chocolates and teddy bears. It’s about being there to support each other even when the chips are down.She said: “I don’t think you can teach love. You can show it in the most minuscule of ways; no need for flowers, although I’m spoiled rotten by Tim and all of my friends know it.“Allowing your loved one to follow their passion and dreams; giving up everything to make sure you get the best out of life; holding my hand after surgeries; picking me up off the floor after being sick; taking care of the cooking, laundry, and dishes each night; caressing my face and reminding me that I’m strong and that things will get better.“That’s love. It’s not just saying those three words, anybody can do that; it’s about showing and being loved.”Jamahl Simmons, a former press officer to the Premier, said being married to wife Sherri has given him a new and deeper meaning of what love is.He met her in the mid-90s and was stopped in his tracks by her beauty. He said he was pleased to discover she was smart, strong and funny too.Mr Simmons said: “The most important lessons I’ve learned about love were: marry your best friend; the person who makes everything from the mundane to the marvellous better just by their being there.“The person who sees the best side of you and who pushes you to reach your potential.“Also love and respect yourself as without that you will never be able to love anyone else.”Carla Zuill, a blogger and social media strategist, has been quite open about her challenges with love in the past and the lessons that came out of those hurts.She said: “The most important thing that I have learned about love is just because you love someone from the depths of your soul, it does not mean that they will love you from the depth of theirs.“I’ve also learned that a person who does not love themselves cannot love you and a person who claims to love you will not repeatedly intentionally hurt you.“But the most valuable lesson I’ve learned about love at this stage in my life is that no matter how much pain loving someone can inflict, there is hope one day that someone will appreciate, honour and reciprocate the same love that someone else didn’t.”Aderonke Bademosi Wilson, the communications manager for the City, found the love from her mother Cynthia that was most inspirational.She said: “It is from her example of unconditional love that I have been able to walk in the spaces I have and share the love I have with those around me.“Through her patience and understanding [I learned what real love was about].”Her brothers Bim and Olu were DJs and would play music in the front room of the house at all hours.“My mom worked shift hours for most of our teen and early adult years, so while she was sleeping there was always noise in our house no matter the time of day or night.“She never complained, she never asked them to turn down the music, she never seemed to mind.“That is my definition of love: total understanding, patience and acceptance of the space your children are in and giving them the ability to express themselves. Now as an adult, when I look at her example, I can’t help but be in awe.”One Bermuda Alliance MP Jefferson Sousa has shared more than 30 years of marriage with his wife Luan. He said the road hasn’t always been easy, but maintained that genuine love was worth fighting for.“Too often people throw in the towel without trying hard enough. In life, in almost everything you do, success is best explained by a four-letter word: W-O-R-K.“Firstly, your wife or husband has to be your best friend before anything else, and this is certainly the case with Luan and I. And yes, you must learn to give space and be flexible because we are all individuals.“After you have been with a person you love for a long time they really become a very important part of your life an extension of you. Thus the saying you hear so often ‘Behind any good man is a good women’. That is certainly the case with me.”People should find a mate with similar interests, although compromises will have to be made in almost every instance, he said.He also advised that it’s nice to surprise your loved one and keep that loving spark alive.“You need to mix it up because it is so easy to fall in the trap of same old, same old and of course that gets boring,” he explained.“Having a family together and raising them together is also a great bonding experience, but you must also always take time for yourself. Go to dinner, have movie dates, go for drives. Make a point to do some of the things you did when you were courting.“And always hug and never forget to say ‘I love you’ when you leave them,” he said.Newlywed Robyn Hooper, the exhibit coordinator at Masterworks, said what she’s learned is it’s important to remember that love is a blessing and needs to be appreciated and valued.“In my life, love is easy to feel. Each day I wake up grateful for who is in my life. What I’ve learned about love is that communication, trust, gratefulness and honesty are most important in any relationship.“With my husband I’ve learned that the butterflies that began in my belly headed north, now make my heart smile everyday.“My husband has shown me how to love others more, including myself. Love is keeping the whole world sane. We all need to be loved, and need to love each other.”