The issue I guest edited for University Link is finally here! It was an exciting job for me, overseeing editing, writing pieces, coming up with cover lines and even doing photo credits at the very back. It’s fitting that I should post this today because my guest editor letter references Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!

Valentine’s Day was a holiday created for Christian martyrs during Roman persecution of the religion. Those men died for their love and faith in Christ. Although this holiday has become a commercial fantasy during which greeting cards and teddy bears are given out and guys are held to the expectation of buying over priced roses and taking out their girl to an expensive restaurant in order to express their affection, maybe this month we can go back to the foundational meaning of this day. After all, our love for the values we hold help us shape our lives and identities.

In this month’s issue, we’ve covered the consequences of bullying, including several adolescent suicides in the past months, and encourage you to love others with our tips for dealing with bullying. Our cover story on Kobe traces a love of basketball that has led him from being an instant success when he went from high school straight to the pro game to the quest for a sixth championship ring with his team. If you’re single on Valentine’s Day, we invite you to love yourself and celebrate your independence.

Being guest editor of this issue brought me closer to journalism because I was trusted with the responsibility of interviewing celebrities like Lucy Hale, coming up with cover lines and editing and writing the magazine’s content, including the tech timeline I put together. Journalism is a search for a connection that ties us all to each other by getting to the heart of each person’s story. As sappy as that sounds, that’s what this holiday is all about isn’t it?

Spread the love this month and always,

Ivana Wynn, UCLA