Candace Cameron Bure Has The Best Response To Criticism Over 'Inappropriate' Photo

You may have heard about the loved-up photo that Candace Cameron Bure recently posted with her husband, former NHL player Valeri Bure. Controversy swirled online, but the star is refusing to let social media followers shame her for simply having a good time with her partner of 24 years. At first, the Fuller House legend felt forced to remove the allegedly offensive photo from her Instagram account after fans called her out, but she soon re-uploaded it in defiance of their quick judgment. 

Although Valeri, who Bure frequently refers to as "the unicorn" on social media, doesn't like to indulge in PDA very often, he seemingly gave his permission for a particularly handsy photo to be posted over Labor Day weekend. The offending photo that got her fans all riled up shows the couple posing happily in shorts and T-shirts, with Val's hand resting (or maybe grabbing?) his wife's breast. She captioned the photo: "Classic Val. He approved this post" (via US Weekly).

While some fans found the image funny (which is probably what Bure intended), there was a vocal group who criticized the couple for behaving inappropriately. In fact, as soon as certain fans saw the image, they declared that it wasn't very Christian — and let Bure know it. "There's a picture of Candace Cameron-Bure's husband holding onto her breast. People are saying it's ok because they're married. I say it's not," said one Twitter use (via Fox News). "It doesn't represent the Christian community. Being intimate with your spouse is fine but shouldn't be made public."

Another user complained: "Candace Cameron Bure defends PDA photo with husband: 'He can touch me all day long' Yes So Called 'Christian' in the privacy of your home your husband can touch you all day long! BUT IF YOU'RE POSTING PUBLIC PICTURES ... NOT REALLY CHRISTIAN." And one more user had this to say: "Public sexual contact is not Christ Like!"

The intense backlash led Bure to remove the image, while communicating her frustration for having to defend herself for being affectionate with her husband of more than 20 years. However, she later re-uploaded the photo to her Stories and took aim at those calling her out. "For all of the Christians that are questioning my post with my husband's hand on my boob — my husband of 24 years — thinking it was inappropriate, it makes me laugh because it's my husband. We have so much fun together," she said in a series of videos, per Good Housekeeping.

The Hallmark Channel stalwart continued, "He can touch me any time he wants, and I hope he does. This is what a healthy, good marriage and relationship is all about." Although Bure acted as though she was about to apologize, she soon took that back, too, saying, "I'm sorry if it offended you — I'm actually not sorry." At the end of the day, the actress is glad she can still have fun and laugh with her long-time husband, and the opinions of others simply don't come into the equation. As well they shouldn't.

And it's important to note that some fans absolutely agreed with Bure's take on the photo: "I am sooo glad you DID NOT apologize for this adorable silly photo!!! People need to lighten up!! You have a fun and loving two decades long relationship that deserves to be celebrated not judged by the ultra sensitive!!!" (via Fox News).

Bure tied the knot with Valeri in 1996 when she was just 20 years old, and they now have three children together, Natasha, Lev, and Maksim. When it comes to being a mom, Bure told People: "It's so important to engage with your kids constantly. I talk with them nonstop from really kind of intense and deep conversations to the fluffy stuff and the day-to-day. But it's important to let them know that you're there for them no matter what."

Christianity has always been a big part of the couple's lives, and the actress also noted that the foundation of their relationship is their Christian faith. "The reality is the glue for us is Jesus," she said. "It's the Bible. You know, when there are arguments or we're compromising and in ways, it's always like, 'Well, let's just go back to the Bible.' It's the foundation for us. So it's not about winning or losing. But doing this journey together."