Valentine’s Day Through the Years {Before & After Kids}

Valentine’s Day Before Kids

NOMB ValentinesThis 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.

It’s amazing how our expectations of the same holiday can change over the course of years and events in our lives.

What are you hoping for this Valentine’s Day? Has your expectations of February 14th changed since becoming a mom?

Mary Olivio
Mary is a caffeine addicted boy mom to Noah, Liam and Luke. This “stay at home” mom can typically been found cruising in her minivan, jamming to Beyonce with a Starbucks in hand on her way to carpool or after school activities. Mary has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2007. She is a founder of Delivering Hope NOLA and the Vanessa Wolff Scholarship Fund at her Alma Mater. Mary is passionate in the local preemie community and has been heavily involved with the March of Dimes since her sons Liam and Luke were born premature.

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