Disclaimer: For just a moment, forget about where you stand regarding LGBTQ+ matters. I'll be bringing up same-sex relationships (fictional ones), yes, but your position on this is irrelevant to the point of the article.

No, this article is a plea to all the fans of popular fiction and movies who like to analyze and talk about and even write stories about their favorite characters and worlds: Please, for the love of all things bright and beautiful, stop trying to turn every relationship into a romantic/sexual one.

Two guys can be incredibly close without needing to be shipped.

Two girls can be incredibly close without needing to be shipped.

A guy and a girl can be incredibly close without needing to be shipped.

In reality, we each have a variety of complex, deep relationships in our lives. Why should fiction be any different?

Affection is not equivalent to attraction. Closeness is not equivalent to romantic interest. Love is not equivalent to sexual interest.

To immediately label any close relationship a romantic one is to diminish the beauty and complexity of platonic relationships.

If shipping every character who looks at each other is "representation", then why does it fail to represent the kindred spirit best friends, the sibling-like friends, the purely platonic relationships where both parties would die for each other in a heartbeat? Who will represent them if fans are too wrapped up in their romantic ships to notice?

For example, take Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings. Sam is the epitome of a loyal friend; he is warm and affectionate, self-sacrificing and faithful, willing to follow Frodo to the ends of Middle Earth and to carry him when he has no more strength left. It is made abundantly clear throughout the story that these two are friends who care deeply for each other-- indeed, friends who love each other.

There are people who think that Frodo and Sam were romantically attached, and this grieves me. The love and affection that they held for each other is in no way lessened by being platonic; in fact, I am grateful that Tolkien wrote such a close platonic bond between two guys, one that now serves as an example of true loyalty and friendship to so many people. We need more emphasis on these types of relationships, y'all-- this self-sacrificing love that really doesn't need to involve romance.

Now, I am in no way saying that romantic relationships aren't okay in stories; believe me, I am all for a well-done romance within a bigger story. But while I thrill at the "true love" type relationships where a guy and a girl eventually become a couple and take on the world hand-in-hand, I also recognize that not every relationship is meant to be of that nature. Friendship-- deep and abiding friendship-- is far too important to be cast aside in such a manner.

Let's champion love over romance, y'all. Love encompasses so many different kinds of relationships, and it is beautiful to see. Love, real love, is selfless and loyal, considerate and compassionate, steadfast and true. Ultimately, real love gives us a glimpse of Christlike love-- agape love-- unconditional and self-sacrificing love. Don't cheapen real love by reducing it to romance or to physical attraction and desires. Let fictional relationships be what they are, what they've been created to be by their writers, and if they are canonically platonic, don't try to change them into something they are not. Not everything needs to be shipped. Really. It's okay. You can still have amazing stories, and depth and complexity of relationships, and beautiful character arcs-- all without romance involved. (Seriously, it is possible.)

Now go forth and champion stories and friendships that illustrate what real love looks like!