Our Valentine's Day Evolution: From Just Us to Our Five-Heart Crew

Okay, you guys, I was looking back at old pictures for Valentine's Day and it just hit me how much this day has changed for Tanner and me. Like, remember those early days? It was just us, all cute and couple-y, probably going out for a fancy dinner that we couldn't really afford hahah, or just chilling at home making each other laugh. It was simple, it was sweet, and it was just *ours*.

Now? Now it's the same same, but with three more little valentines running around! 💗❤️💗 And honestly, my heart feels like it's going to burst. It's a different kind of love, a bigger, louder, messier kind of love, but it's freakin' everything. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I mean, who knew your heart could just keep expanding like that? I sure didn't. I thought I knew what love was, and then Stella came, then Ozzy, then Cherry, and it was like, 'oh, no, you had no idea, Lo!' hahah. It's the best kind of shock, though. So, I wanted to chat a little bit about how Valentine's Day has evolved for us and maybe share some of the little things we do now to make it special, because it really is so different, but still so, so good. :,)

The Early Days: Just Tanner & Me

When it was just Tanner and me, Valentine's Day was all about us. We'd do the typical date night stuff – maybe a nice restaurant, or sometimes we'd just stay in, order pizza, and watch a movie. It was low-key, but it was *our* low-key. We'd exchange little gifts, nothing too crazy, just thoughtful things that showed we were thinking about each other. I remember one year he made me a whole scrapbook of our first year together, and I swear I cried for like an hour. He's always been the sweetest, always making me feel like the most special person in the world. He still does, tbh. That man is my biggest hype man, always has been. We were just building our foundation then, you know? Learning each other, dreaming about our future, totally oblivious to the beautiful chaos that was headed our way.

Adding Stella: Our First Little Valentine

And then came Stella. Oh my goodness, our first little valentine! Everything shifted. Suddenly, Valentine's Day wasn't just about Tanner and me anymore; it was about this tiny human who had completely stolen our hearts. Our first Valentine's Day with Stella was so sweet. I remember just holding her, thinking about how lucky we were. We didn't do a big fancy dinner that year, obviously. It was more about snuggles on the couch, taking a million pictures of her in a little pink onesie, and just soaking in that new parent love. It made me realize that love isn't just romantic; it's this huge, encompassing thing that just grows and grows. It was the start of our family traditions, even if we didn't know it yet. We started doing little things like making her a special breakfast or getting her a tiny little something, just to celebrate her being *our* valentine.

Ozzy & Cherry Join the Crew: Full House, Full Heart

Fast forward a bit, and now we have Ozzy and baby Cherry! So now it's five of us. Five valentines! It's wild. Our house is definitely louder, messier, and there are always tiny hands reaching for everything, but it's also filled with so much more love and laughter than I ever thought possible. Valentine's Day now is a full-on family affair. It's not just about Tanner and me anymore; it's about celebrating the love we all share as a family. And honestly, it's my favorite version of Valentine's Day yet.

Our New Valentine's Day Traditions (The Lo Beeston Way)

So, how do we do Valentine's Day now with three little ones? It's definitely not fancy, but it's full of heart. Here are some of the things that make it special for us:

• Special Breakfast: This is a big one! We love making heart-shaped pancakes or waffles. Sometimes I'll even add a little red food coloring to the batter just for fun. The girls go absolutely nuts for it. It's a simple start to the day, but it sets such a happy, loving tone.
• Decorate Together: We usually put up some simple decorations – paper hearts, maybe a little banner. Nothing over the top, but enough to make the house feel festive. The girls love helping, even if it means glitter ends up everywhere hahah. It's all part of the fun!
• Little Love Notes: Tanner and I started a tradition of writing little notes to each of the girls and leaving them by their beds for them to find in the morning. Just telling them how much we love them and how special they are. Seeing their faces light up when they read them is the best.
• Family Movie Night: Instead of going out, we usually have a cozy family movie night at home. We pick a feel-good movie, make some popcorn, and snuggle up on the couch. It's simple, but it's quality time together, and that's what matters most.
• Heart-Themed Dinner: Sometimes we'll try to make dinner heart-themed too. Heart-shaped pizzas are always a hit! Or even just cutting sandwiches into heart shapes. It's silly, but the girls love it and it makes mealtime feel extra special.
• Gifts (Small & Thoughtful): We don't go overboard with gifts. For the girls, it's usually something small like a new book, a cute hair accessory, or a little craft kit. For Tanner and me, we still exchange little thoughtful things, or sometimes we just focus on a nice dinner at home after the girls are asleep.
• Don't Forget the Partner Love: Even with all the focus on the kids, Tanner and I still make sure to carve out a little time for just us. Sometimes it's just a quiet moment after the girls are asleep, sharing a dessert, or watching a show. It's so important to keep that connection alive, even if it looks different now. He's still my number one valentine, always. ❤

Embracing the Beautiful Chaos

Honestly, Valentine's Day now is less about grand gestures and more about creating sweet memories with our girls. It's about celebrating the love that fills our home every single day, not just on one specific day of the year. It's messy, it's loud, and sometimes I'm so tired I could just fall asleep standing up, but it's also the most fulfilling, heartwarming, and beautiful thing I've ever experienced. I wouldn't trade this full-house, full-heart version of Valentine's Day for anything. It's a reminder that love just keeps growing, keeps changing, and keeps surprising you in the best ways possible.

So, if your Valentine's Day looks a lot different now than it used to, know you're not alone! Embrace the new traditions, embrace the chaos, and just soak up all that love. It's truly heaven on earth fr. Happy Valentine's Day to all of you, whether you're celebrating with a partner, with your kids, with friends, or just loving on yourself. You deserve all the love in the world! :,)