As the glittering reds and pinks adorn the store shelves each year, heralding Valentine’s Day, a special kind of magic fills our home. It’s a Valentine’s Day tradition that began as the simplest gesture back in 2016. Little did I know, it would weave a timeless thread through the fabric of our family life.
You see, as a young mom, I never had the energy or creativity to keep a journal for my kids, recording their likes and dislikes, milestones and memories. It all felt too much for me in the whirlwind of raising toddlers. So I began writing love notes each February as a way to capture the big and little characteristics, gifts and talents that I witnessed in my children and to celebrate them.
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When I got started, I kept the notes simple and Valentine themed by cutting heart shapes out of the decorative paper that I had stuffed in a random drawer. Luckily, the local Target had cute Valentine mailboxes in the dollar section, so I grabbed a couple, thinking – what kid doesn’t love getting mail? My babies were toddlers and got excited over the simplest things, so I opted out of using an ‘official’ envelope, keeping it less than Pinterest perfect but a whole lot less stressful to manage. At that time, it was the surprise in the mailbox that mattered the most to them and I knew, as they would grow older, the messages of how much they’re loved would become more meaningful to them. So, began a yearly tradition of love notes from me to them, from February 1st to the 14th.
Every February since then, I pull out the notes from the previous year and string them together as holiday decor. As a mom, I love the reflections each note brings and the record it keeps of who my kids are. Now this 14-day event has transformed into an annual time capsule.
Every year brings a myriad of feelings in our home especially as they have grown older. Witnessing my children radiate excitement as they open their ‘mail’, whether written on paper or mixed in with their favorite sweets, has become a treasured experience. I’ve watched this tradition become more than just a random act of love – it has fostered a sense of support, anticipation, and wonder among us. For me, it has become an annual pause for reflection as I spend intentional time thinking and writing about all the things my kids do and say that make me proud to be their mom. It’s the things that they may not even think about that I shine light on, so they know that that part of who they are is great. It’s a time for me to tell them that I see all these things and they are worth celebrating.
Starting Your Own Love Note Tradition
For those looking to create a Valentine time capsule for your children, or to simply infuse life at home with extra doses of love, the love note tradition could be a great way to start! Here are some reflection prompts that may help you get started:
- Personalize the Notes: Think of ways to tailor your love notes to your child’s specific interests and personality. It could be through heartfelt compliments, shared jokes, or affirmations of achievements.
- Surprise and Anticipation: How can you make the tradition just a little bit more exciting? Perhaps implement a treasure hunt one day or encourage the children to leave their own notes for each other.
- Incorporate Your Children: Involving the children in crafting or choosing their mailbox for the notes can give them a sense of ownership in the tradition. You can even choose the same heart shaped cards that I use now and let the kids decorate them each day with the stickers from inside the pack.
- Adapt as they Grow: Your children’s interests, and wants will evolve, so feel free to adjust the tradition as they grow. Let it naturally develop and take on new forms with time, while keeping the core of love in every note.
Initiating this tradition goes beyond exchanging love; it’s about building a legacy of unwavering affirmations. To me, each love note symbolizes a piece of my heart, scribbled on a page and shared with those I hold dear.
If you’re reading this, consider weaving your family’s history with love notes. Embrace the magic of words and let them become a cherished part of the years to come. After all, love shared is love multiplied.
