Okay, you guys. It’s Valentine’s Day, and my heart is just bursting. Like, I’m sitting here looking at old photos of Tanner and me, back when it was just us two, and then I look around at our crazy, beautiful, chaotic life now with Stella, Ozzy, and baby Cherry, and I just get so emotional. It’s the best kind of emotional, you know? The kind where you feel so full you could just float away. :,)

I posted a little something on IG today, just a quick snap, but it got me thinking about how much this day means to me now, compared to how it used to. And honestly, it means even more. It’s not just about romantic love anymore, though that’s still super important, obviously. It’s about all the love. The love that grew our family from two to five. The love that makes our house loud and messy and the best place on earth. The love that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world, every single day.

So, I wanted to share a little more about our Valentine’s Day journey, from those early days with just Tanner, to now, with our three little valentines running around. Grab a snack, maybe a tissue, bc I’m about to get sappy, hahah.

Our First Valentine's Day: Just Us Two

I still remember our first Valentine's Day together, Tanner and I. It feels like a lifetime ago, but also like yesterday. We were so young, so in love, and honestly, probably a little clueless about what life would throw at us. But we had each other, and that was all that mattered. I think we probably went out to a little dinner, maybe exchanged some cheesy cards. I remember being so excited just to spend time with him, to just be with him. He was, and still is, my best friend. My hype man. The one who always knows how to make me laugh, even when I’m being a total mess.

Back then, Valentine’s Day was all about us. Our connection, our future. We’d talk for hours about our dreams, what kind of life we wanted to build. We didn’t know then that those dreams would include three little girls who would completely flip our world upside down, in the best possible way. We just knew we wanted to be together, always.

Looking back, those days were so simple, so sweet. And I cherish those memories so much. They’re the foundation of everything we have now. It’s important to remember where you started, right? To remember that initial spark that brought you together, bc that spark is still there, even when it’s buried under a mountain of laundry and a million toddler questions, hahah.

Adding Our First Little Valentine: Stella!

Then came Stella. Oh, our sweet Stella. She changed everything, didn’t she? Our first baby, our first little valentine. Suddenly, Valentine’s Day wasn’t just about Tanner and me anymore. It was about this tiny human who had stolen our hearts completely. Our first Valentine's Day with Stella was probably a blur of exhaustion and pure, unadulterated joy. I remember thinking, how did we ever live without her?

We started new traditions. Instead of a fancy dinner out, it was probably takeout on the couch after Stella finally went down. Or maybe Tanner cooked something simple. But the cards changed, too. Now, we were writing little notes to Stella, telling her how much we loved her, how she was our little miracle. It wasn't about grand gestures anymore; it was about the quiet moments, the snuggles, the feeling of her tiny hand in ours.

It was a shift, for sure. And I think some people worry that having kids will take away from the romance, but honestly, for us, it just expanded it. It made our love bigger, deeper. Seeing Tanner as a dad, seeing him with Stella, it just made me fall even more in love with him. He’s such an incredible father, so patient and loving. It’s one of my favorite things about him, tbh.

Ozzy & Cherry Join the Party: Three Little Valentines!

And then came Ozzy. And then, our littlest love, Cherry. Now, our Valentine’s Day celebrations are a full-blown party! We have three little valentines, each with their own unique personality, each bringing so much light and laughter into our lives. Our house is never quiet, never boring. It’s always full of giggles, little feet running around, and a whole lot of love.

Valentine’s Day with three kids is definitely different. It’s not about quiet romantic dinners anymore, at least not usually. It’s about making heart-shaped pancakes in the morning, maybe some little crafts with Stella and Ozzy, and lots of cuddles with baby Cherry. We exchange little gifts, usually something small and thoughtful. Tanner always gets me flowers, and I love that he still does that. It’s a sweet reminder of our beginning.

The girls love picking out little cards for each other, and for us. Stella is so thoughtful with her drawings, and Ozzy just loves anything sparkly. Cherry, well, she just loves to be held and smiled at, and that’s more than enough for us. It’s about creating those memories, those little traditions that they’ll look back on and remember. It’s about showing them, every day, how much they are loved, and how much we love each other as a family.

Keeping the Spark Alive (Even with Three Kids!)

Okay, real talk. With three kids, it can be hard to find time for just Tanner and me. But it’s so important, right? We try our best to still have our date nights, even if it’s just ordering takeout after the girls are asleep and watching a movie on the couch. Or sometimes, if my amazing mom is in town, we’ll actually get to go out! Those moments are so precious.

Valentine’s Day is a good reminder to prioritize that. To make sure we’re still connecting, still laughing, still remembering why we fell in love in the first place. It’s not always easy, and sometimes we’re just too tired, hahah. But we try. We try to sneak in those little moments, those knowing glances, those quick hugs. Bc even with all the chaos, he’s still my person. My forever valentine.

And honestly, seeing him with our girls, seeing the love in his eyes when he looks at them, it just makes my heart melt every single time. It’s a different kind of romance now, a deeper, richer kind. It’s seeing your partner thrive as a parent, and knowing you built this beautiful life together. That’s pretty romantic, if you ask me.

Simple Ways We Celebrate Love (No Matter How Many Valentines You Have!)

So, if you’re wondering how we celebrate Valentine’s Day now, with our full house, it’s really about simplicity and intention. It’s not about spending a ton of money or doing anything over-the-top. It’s about:

• Heart-shaped everything: Pancakes, sandwiches, cookies. Anything we can make heart-shaped, we do! The girls love it.
• Handmade cards & drawings: Stella and Ozzy love making cards for us and for each other. It’s so sweet to see their little messages.
• Family movie night: We’ll pick a cozy, family-friendly movie, make some popcorn, and snuggle up on the couch.
• Special dinner at home: Sometimes Tanner will cook, or we’ll order in. It’s just about being together around the table.
• Little thoughtful gifts: Nothing big, just small things that show we were thinking of each other. Maybe a new book for Stella, a fun toy for Ozzy, a cute onesie for Cherry, and for Tanner, maybe his favorite candy or a new gadget.
• Lots and lots of cuddles: This is a given, but on Valentine’s Day, we make an extra effort to just soak in all the snuggles.
• Expressing gratitude: I always make sure to tell Tanner how much I appreciate him, and we tell the girls how much we love them and how grateful we are for them.

It’s really about the feeling, you know? The feeling of being loved, and giving love. That’s what Valentine’s Day is all about for us now. It’s a day to pause and appreciate the incredible family we’ve built, and the love that holds us all together.

My Heart is Full: Thank You, Tanner!

So, to my sweet Tanner, my first and forever valentine: thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being the most amazing husband, the most incredible father to our girls. Thank you for making me laugh every single day, for supporting me, for loving me unconditionally. You are my rock, my best friend, my everything. I couldn’t imagine doing this life without you. And thank you for giving me our three little valentines, Stella, Ozzy, and Cherry. They are the greatest gifts in the world.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my love. And happy Valentine’s Day to all of you, too! I hope you feel all the love today, whatever that looks like for you. Remember to cherish the people who make your heart full. :,) Sending you all the biggest hugs and heart emojis! ❤️❤️❤️