Valentine’s Day Before Kids
This year will make the 15th Valentine’s Day I have spent with my husband. When we first started dating, we were in high school and I still remember that first Valentine’s Day. I walked out of my front door on the way to school to see balloons, flowers, a giant stuffed animal and a card from my boyfriend. Picture a high school girl and imagine how giddy she would be to see this arrangement and then take that and multiply it by 100 and that was me. I was so excited and in puppy love.
Fast forward a couple of years, and we were now in our 20’s and in college and celebrating Valentine’s Day. The romantic day usually consisted of the finest fair on UNO’s campus for lunch (I’m looking at you Chick Fil A), a moderately priced dinner, and maybe some flowers and/or chocolates. Once we graduated college and got married, we would send each other cookie arrangements or flowers to work and go out to a fancy over priced and crowded dinner with a prixe fixe menu.
Valentine’s Day As Parents
Before becoming parents, Valentine’s Day was always celebrated and a priority. And now? Well, I’m lucky if we even exchange a card. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t want to make a big hoopla of of this holiday for my husband, but now that we have a 3 and 6 year old, the priorities have shifted. Instead of trying to find that perfect gift for my Valentine, I’m now making a Pinterest worthy craft and/or treat to send to a class full of 6 year olds.
Perfume, spa treatments, flowers and jewelry are things just about every mom and wife loves (oh and don’t forget chocolate!), but this year for Valentine’s Day, I would like the following things.
From my kids ::
A macaroni necklace, a stick figure drawing or a homemade card. Just something that they worked on and had fun expressing themselves. I love it when my boys come to me with a homemade gift and their giant grins on their faces. And don’t forget the hugs; I’ll take them all and then some on February 14th.
From my husband ::
Don’t worry about making a reservation to be in a packed restaurant; take out from our favorite restaurant would be just fine followed by a movie from Redbox. I would love to be able to sleep in one day on the weekend. Oh, and if you would like to get me my favorite box of chocolates, I wouldn’t turn them down. Wait! Scratch the chocolates and opt for my bakery of choice king cake. And don’t forget a card. I find between the daily run and go of life, sometimes an old fashioned love letter is just a perfect way to express your love.
