Our Valentine's Day Glow Up: From Just Us to Our Sweet Crew of Five

Hey my loves! Happy Valentine's Day, you guys! Gosh, I just wanted to sit down and chat with you all for a sec bc this day always makes me feel so mushy and reflective. It's so wild to look back at how much our little holiday traditions have changed, but also stayed exactly the same in the best ways. From just me and Tanner to our sweet crew of five, every year just gets better and better. I remember seeing a picture from years ago, just me and Tanner, and I posted it saying 'same same but just add in 3 more little valentines' and honestly, that pretty much sums it up hahah. It's still us, still our love story, just with a whole lot more heart-shaped chaos and tiny human snuggles. And ngl, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's like our love just expanded, you know? It didn't divide, it multiplied. My heart feels so full I could just burst :,)

The Early Days: Just Me and My Tanner

Okay, so let's rewind a bit. Back when it was just me and Tanner, Valentine's Day was, well, it was exactly what you'd expect. Dinner out, maybe a movie, just us spending quality time together. We'd get each other little gifts, nothing too crazy, just thoughtful things. I remember one year he surprised me with this super cozy blanket that I still have, and honestly, it's seen better days but I can't bring myself to part with it. It holds so many memories. We were young, just starting out, and everything felt so exciting and new. Every date was an adventure. We’d talk for hours, dream about our future, and just soak up each other's company. I loved those days, I really did. They were simple, sweet, and laid the foundation for everything we have now. He was my freakin best friend, my hype man, my everything. And he still is, obviously, but now he's also the best girl dad on the planet. Seeing him with our girls? My heart just melts every single time. It's a different kind of love, watching him be a dad, but it just makes me fall for him even more, if that's even possible.

Then Came Stella: Our First Little Valentine

And then Stella arrived, and oh my gosh, everything changed in the most beautiful way. Valentine's Day went from being just about us to being about us three. Suddenly, it wasn't just about romantic dinners; it was about finding joy in little heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. It was about seeing the world through her eyes, and watching her get excited over a tiny pink balloon. I remember her first Valentine's Day, she was just a baby, and we dressed her in this adorable little onesie with hearts all over it. Tanner and I just sat there, staring at her, feeling this overwhelming wave of love. It was like, 'whoa, this is what it's all about.' Our love for each other had created this tiny human, and now she was part of our celebration. It wasn't less romantic, it was just... fuller. More vibrant. We still made time for each other, even if it was just after she went to bed, sharing a dessert or watching a show. But the focus definitely shifted to making the day special for her too. It was a beautiful transition, like our hearts grew to make room for this new, incredible love.

Ozzy and Cherry Join the Crew: Full-Blown Family Love

And then came Ozzy, and then our sweet baby Cherry, and now our Valentine's Day is a beautiful, chaotic, love-filled party of five. It's truly a glow up, honestly. It's not about fancy reservations anymore (idc, I'd rather be home in my PJs anyway hahah). It's about waking up to little squeals of excitement when they see the heart-shaped cereal or the tiny little notes we leave for them. We make a big deal out of breakfast, maybe some heart-shaped waffles or pancakes with pink sprinkles. Stella and Ozzy love helping, even if it means a little extra mess (which, let's be real, is always the case with kids, but it's worth it). We'll do little crafts, make cards for each other, and just spend the day together. Tanner is always such a good sport, getting into all the silly traditions with the girls. He's such a good dad, it makes my heart so happy. He'll even wear a silly pink hat if the girls ask him to, against his will but idc, it's cute hahah. He's truly the best. And seeing the girls give each other little handmade cards, or Cherry just smiling at all the pink and red, it's just pure magic. It's a different kind of Valentine's Day, but it's so much more meaningful. It's loud, it's messy, but it's filled with so much love, I can hardly stand it :,)

Keeping the Spark Alive: Date Nights (Even at Home)

Okay, so with three little ones, 'date night' looks a little different, right? Ngl, sometimes it's just us collapsing on the couch after the girls are asleep, sharing a bag of chips and watching a show. But that's our version of keeping the spark alive, and I love it. It's about those quiet moments, those little connections. Sometimes we'll order takeout from our favorite restaurant, light a candle, and just talk. No phones, no distractions, just us. It's so important to remember that even amidst all the beautiful chaos of family life, our relationship with Tanner is the foundation. It's what started all of this. And nurturing that, even in small ways, is so important. My mom always told me that, and she raised me as a single mom, so she knows a thing or two about keeping things going. I'm so grateful for her wisdom. So yeah, our Valentine's Day might be filled with kid-centric activities, but we always make sure to steal a moment, just us, to remember why we started this whole amazing journey together. A little hand-holding, a shared laugh, a whispered 'I love you.' Those are the moments that truly count.

My Hopes for Our Girls: Love All Around

As a mom, seeing my girls experience Valentine's Day, it makes me think about what I want for them. I want them to know that love isn't just about romantic partners. It's about family, it's about friends, it's about self-love. It's about kindness and compassion. I want them to grow up feeling loved, secure, and knowing their worth. I want them to know that love is an action, it's something you show every single day, not just on one holiday. And I hope that by seeing Tanner and I, and by seeing how much we love them and each other, they learn what true, unconditional love looks like. I hope they grow up to be kind, loving, and empathetic humans. That's my biggest wish for them. And honestly, watching them interact with each other, with their little sister Cherry, seeing Stella and Ozzy dote on her, it just fills me with so much hope. They're already so full of love, it's amazing to witness. I'm freakin out, they're just the best :,)

Embracing the Chaos and Cherishing Every Moment

So yeah, Valentine's Day has definitely evolved in the Beeston household. From intimate dinners to heart-shaped everything and sticky fingers, it's a whole different vibe. But it's a vibe I absolutely adore. It's a reminder that love grows, it changes, it adapts, but at its core, it's always there. It's the thread that connects us all. And honestly, embracing the chaos, finding joy in the little, imperfect moments, that's what makes life so rich and beautiful. So whether you're celebrating with a partner, with your kids, with friends, or just showering yourself with some self-love, I hope your day is filled with warmth and happiness. Remember to tell the people you love how much they mean to you, today and every day. Because life is short, and love is everything. I love you guys sm! Happy Valentine's Day from our crazy, loving family to yours! ❤