Imagine living in a world where love had no barriers and one could embrace it without any fear of judgement. In the real world, however, most people don’t have it easy. Common deterrents like “Oh but my parents won’t accept it due to a difference in our communities”, “He is a couple of years younger, how will we be perceived by the society that I’m the older one?”, or “I can’t reveal my true identity because I’m scared how my friends and family will react to my coming out”, continue to make life unnecessarily complicated. It may be hard for you and me to relate to this due to the evolving circumstances, but there’s still many who live such a life; they just conceal their reality.

While I’d love to do everything in my power to help couples stuck in this unfair dilemma with no support system, there’s nothing like the backing that comes from recognised names and corporations that make this fight—a global one at that—easier to deal with. Toothpaste brand, CloseUp India, known for their freshness not just in their product but also for their ever-evolving perspective on love and life, took this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to lend a helping hand to such couples by giving them access to experts on the matters of the heart, through their website, Love For All. The only thing that can save the world is love and there’s nothing that should stand in the way of that. Not age, no religion nor the sex of the individual.

Celebrated personalities, who have had somewhat of a similar experience but navigated their way through rocky roads, share their stories with CloseUp India to stand in solidarity with these people. And in the process, inspire them to fight a little harder to be with their loved one. Because at the end of the day, everyone should feel #FreeToLove.

9 influencers joined CloseUp India in an effort to make the #FreedomToLove a reality for one and all! Scroll through their stories, below:

1. Malini Agarwal and Nowshad Rizwanullah

Founder of MissMalini Entertainment, Malini Agarwal and CEO of the company, Nowshad Rizwanullah, thank their ‘supermoms’ for making them understand that nothing except their love for each other matters.

2. Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu

Actors, Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu come from diverse backgrounds but it’s their undying love for each other along with some guidance from their parents, that’s resulted in them having such a happy family, today!

3. Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover

Even though Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover didn’t have much to worry about when they decided to spend their lives together, the kind of emotional support they received only made their #MonkeyLove that much sweeter. Having such a bond with your partner and your extended families can really, truly make a difference in your lives!

4. Gauahar Khan and Zaid Darbar

If you let what society thinks control how you feel, you’re missing out on something really special in your life! That’s precisely what Gauahar Khan and Zaid Darbar didn’t give into and here they are, living their happily-ever-after!

5. Daniel Bauer

It’s well-known that prior to September 6, 2018—the day the Supreme Court of India abolished Section 377 of the Indian Constitution, same-sex marriage was a no-no. Did that stop celebrity makeup artist, Daniel Bauer to end his pursuit of love? No. Sure, things were more difficult for him and his partner, Tyrone Braganza, to get married but having that unconditional support from their families made the ride bearable!

We hope that these stories inspire you to get the help you think you need and give you the free will to embrace your love without judgement or self-doubt!

On that note, what are your views on love being free of societal obstructions? Does it ever make you wonder why these man-made distinctions were brought to action and how different life would be had they never existed in the first place? Penny for your thoughts in the comments below.

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*This post is in partnership with Closeup India.*