Every year, as February 14th rolls around, the world goes into full-on Valentine’s Day mode with heart-shaped chocolates, overpriced roses, and extravagant dinner plans. While I love a little romance, my husband doesn’t need to break the bank to show me he loves me. Honestly, I’d rather have his help folding laundry or an extra hour of sleep than an expensive bouquet that wilts in a few days. And while I may find Valentine’s Day a bit cliché for couples, I have to admit, it’s a fun day for kids and pretty entertaining for teachers too.
Valentine’s Day in grade school is pure joy.
There’s something adorable about watching little ones carefully pick out cards for their friends (and maybe a special one for their crush). The excitement over candy hearts and tiny notes makes it one of the cutest days of the year. But fast-forward to middle and high school, and it’s a whole different story. Valentine’s Day turns into a mix of teenage awkwardness, grand public displays of affection, and enough drama to fuel a soap opera. Teachers get a front-row seat to it all: secret admirer notes, students walking around with giant stuffed bears, and the inevitable heartbreaks when someone doesn’t get a candy gram. It’s hilarious and slightly chaotic, but also a rite of passage, and I’m all for it.
Even though my husband and I don’t make a big deal out of the holiday, I do love making it special for my kids.
Every year, I put together little Valentine’s baskets with cute, small gifts such as fun socks, their favorite candy, and a few small surprises I know they’ll enjoy. Nothing extravagant, just a simple way to make my kids smile and remind them that they are loved. It’s a fun tradition that I look forward to, and honestly, their excitement over the smallest surprises makes it totally worth it.
As adults, the excitement of exchanging paper valentines fades, and real love becomes about the everyday moments.
It’s in the small things, like my husband delivering my favorite coffee drink to me at school during my plan time, planning dinner when I’m exhausted, or simply texting me just to say he loves me and that he hopes I have a great day. Sure, Valentine’s Day can be sweet, but I don’t need expensive gifts to feel loved. The little things he does all year long mean far more than one grand gesture on a designated day.
So, how do we celebrate Valentine’s Day? Sometimes, we don’t. Other times, we keep it simple, maybe a special homemade meal, a movie night, or just some extra “I love yous” throughout the day. Because love isn’t about how much you spend; it’s about how much you show up for each other. That being said, I never expect my husband to go all out for Valentine’s Day, but I’ll definitely enjoy watching my kids smile over their Valentine’s baskets. Since it’s on a school day this year, I also might just grab some popcorn to watch the high school drama unfold at school.
How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? Do you go all out, keep it simple, or just enjoy the chaos from the sidelines?
