“I hated Valentine’s Day, and now I am looking forward to it. I am hoping to cuddle non-stop,” Jensen said.
The 12-hour convention, which is strictly platonic and nonsexual, was created by professional cuddler Samantha Hess. She is also the founder of Cuddle Me Up, a business that provides platonic touch for clients through cuddling sessions.
Hess’ idea to start a cuddling business materialized back in January 2013. She came across a photo on Facebook of a man offering free hugs, and a newly divorced Hess thought to herself that she would definitely pay someone for a hug right at that moment.
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Hess sees 2015 as the year of the cuddle and hopes people will start to see the positives of platonic touch.
“I think we all struggle with the concept of being good enough,” Hess said. “People think ‘I have to lose 50 pounds so I can start dating.’ No you don’t, you are good enough right now.”
