Recently in a class, given the results of the election, my teacher decided to stop our class and have us perform an affirmative practice with our classmates. We took turns to say something about someone, whether it was something that we loved about them, appreciated them about, just to let them know that we think about them. Turn by turn, everyone had something said about them and everyone had a chance to say something about someone else.

This exercise had most of us in tears, there were many sniffles going throughout the process. It opened my eyes to see, in even a class were I didn't feel too many strong connections with my peers, that people still valued one another, still loved one another and weren't afraid to show it. As we were going through, talking to one another, I kept glancing at our teacher. Her eyes were filled with tears and was listening so intently to us speaking these kind words to each other. I almost felt like we all had to have a group hug at the end of class.

This opened my eyes, and my heart, in this seemingly dark time, where so many are afraid of the future and what it means to their lifestyle, that there is still so much love.

There is the love that we have with our family members, even those who might not agree with us. That these people have always been there for us, they are tied to us in a way that is so different to any other relations, by blood and bonds of marriage.

There is the love of being in a romantic relationship. Whether or not you and your partner have said "I love you" to one another yet, is not important for this point. There is still a caring and passion to make sure that the other person is alright. You care about this person, and they care about you. You will be, ideally, together through the best and worst moments.

There is the love of friends. The people you want to hang out with on your Friday nights, playing games, making jokes. The people you want around you in your time of crisis, to hold your hand, to assure you that you will get through the latest troubles.

There is the love of pets. Some people might not see this as a true sense of love, but I can't agree with that. The look that your dog gives you (or whatever animal) when you return home after a couple months of college, that is love. They are so excited to see you that their bodies just can't handle it. They wag their tails, they jump up and lick your face, they look at you and just exude such happiness.

There is the love of classmates and peers. The people that you sit next to and share your daily annoyances, like the test that no one seems fully prepared for, or the weird quirks of the professor. You have that common bond, and even if you don't really hang out outside of class, you always seem to smile and say "Hi."

There is the love of co-workers and bosses. Sometimes you don't want to be at work, that happens. However, these people at your work are strangely a big part of your life. You may not tell your deep, dark secrets to them, but they still know you, and still care for you. Very similar to the love of classmates and peers.

There is the love of complete and utter strangers. You hold the door open for them. They return your fitbit when it falls off of your wrist. In this group, it is often the smallest actions that seem to matter most. There is still a love and respect for that person, no matter their beliefs, but because they are a person.

Some of these have the unconditional love portion that so many of us strive to have in our lives. But even if the other categories don't have that, there is still love to be found. Love can be found in many forms and in many different people. Don't forget that people love you. Take a moment to tell those around you that you do love them or that you appreciate them for the work that they do or the kindness that they exhibit.

Love always.