The oversized “LOVE” letters that make the rounds in Virginia and sometimes have a permanent home at rest stops and tourist attractions are totally the modern extrapolation of the state’s “Virginia is for Lovers” tourism campaign that has been ongoing for decades.

When the slogan was first created in 1969, cellphones, social media and a camera that fits in one’s pocket were far from the public consciousness. But the ways in which the slogan has been used to promote travel to the Old Dominion have constantly changed.

The slogan debuted in a 1969 issue of “Modern Bride,” no doubt touting Virginia’s many lovely honeymoon locales. At the time, according to a website devoted to the slogan, even the word “lovers” was considered “bold and provocative.”

Since then, the slogan has appeared on billboards and bumper stickers and been appropriated by all manner of groups for their own purposes, including the surfing community with its stickers that say, “Virginia has no Waves.”

In recent years, the slogan has gone three-dimensional with the giant letters. What better way, in the age of the selfie and the hashtag, to promote Virginia than to give people giant letters with which they can take giant selfies and post them to social media with a hashtag?

If you love craft beer just as much as you love Virginia — and Suffolk in particular — there’s a great opportunity this week. The 7-foot “LOVE” signs are located at two new, popular destinations — Brick and Mortar Brewing Company at 212 E. Washington St. and in North Suffolk at Decent People Taproom, 5140 River Club Drive, Suite 120.

The placement of the signs coincides with American Craft Beer Week and is meant to encourage people to “untap the possibilities in Suffolk,” said Tourism Development Manager Theresa Earles, always unable to resist a good pun.

The East Washington Street sign will be displayed through Sunday, while the one at River Club Drive will be there through May 25. Folks can take photos with the “LOVE” letters and post them on the “VisitSuffolkVa” Facebook page or on Instagram with “#visitsuffolkva.” Prize packs with tour tickets, gift certificates and other Suffolk prizes will be awarded for the three best photo submissions, according to Earles.

We hope you’ll pay a visit.