( CNN ) For most of her life , Kimberly Jensen has spent Valentine 's Day alone . But on Saturday she will be cuddling up to a complete stranger . The 47-year-old , who is perpetually single , is one of more than 100 people attending Cuddle Con , which bills itself as the world 's first ever cuddle convention in Portland , Oregon . `` 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 . `` Just because I do n't have someone in my life does n't mean I do n't deserve affection and touch , '' she said . The thought of cuddling a stranger on Valentine 's Day might seem creepy , but Hess said the problem lies with people 's perception . `` In our culture , cuddling is connected with romantic relationships . Platonic touch is such a taboo thing , '' she said . `` There are a lot of moms who give a lot of touch , but they never really take . So they come into ( my business ) and get touch from me . '' Amy Muise , a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto , co-authored a study on the effects of cuddling in a relationship after sex . She said there is research to suggest that cuddling , which is commonly associated with romantic relationships , can also be found in platonic relationships as well . `` It was n't always a sexual thing , '' Muise said . Touch is a way for people to feel closer to one another , she said . `` People have a need to belong and connect to others and affection is one way we may do this . '' One reason platonic touch in a professional setting can be appealing to some is because it can be less intimidating than a romantic encounter , Muise said . `` There are fewer risks of rejection . '' The idea of being hugged and not judged pulled Jensen in . She was experiencing feelings of unworthiness and loneliness when she entered Hess ' Portland storefront more than a year ago . The math tutor drove an hour from her home in Salem to find out what platonic cuddling meant . After her first session with Hess , Jensen felt like she was on a runner 's high . `` After I see her , I am pretty high for a couple of days . I am seriously addicted to it , '' Jensen said . `` I think about if I have a ding in my car and I have a $ 500 deductible , that $ 500 could give me 500 minutes of cuddling . '' The hour-long cuddle sessions she has with Hess once a week have boosted Jensen 's confidence . She 's more open about wanting affection now . She routinely requests hugs from her family and friends and even cuddles with her sister . Jensen thinks the Cuddle Con is the perfect way to introduce the benefits of touch not only to those who are single , but to people in relationships . `` There are couples out there where one person is more affectionate than the other . Maybe if they can bring their partner to the convention to show them cuddling is normal , '' Jensen said . 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 do n't , you are good enough right now . ''
Cuddle Day happens on Valentine 's Day . The event aims to present platonic cuddling in a positive light . Platonic touch between friends and family can promote healthier relationships .