I’m going to be honest here, I was a bigger fan of Valentine’s Day before it became a Pinterest-worthy event. Or have moms always spent the days before making heart shaped cookies and preparing gifts and all of that photo-worthy stuff?

When I was younger, Valentine’s Day was about cardboard cards that we had to tear apart at the perforated lines, and writing our names way too many times on all of those cards.

And then later it was about cute gestures between couples.

Post-college, Valentine’s Day became about going out on an extra-fancy date and an excuse to dress-up and maybe a bouquet of flowers.

And all of a sudden, with kids, it seems to be a bigger deal than ever! What the heck? I barely have the energy to figure out what to do for Tim, much less two little people, too! Story of my life (and every holiday), right?

This year my house is not decorated with hearts, but the kids are wearing pink! Mom win! Maybe I’ll make this day a bigger deal in the future – but today, it’s just not happening. Don’t tell my girls what they’re missing out on, please! (wink.)

In honor of a day all about love…

Things I Love

(in no particular order)

• Meeting new people
• The Olympics
• Laughing
• Hiking
• Dark chocolate
• A variety
• Rainy days
• Learning new things
• Chai tea lattes
• Living in Seattle
• Camping
• Mountains
• Watching my girls play together
• Cheese
• Newborns
• The Ellen Show
• The Marco Polo app
• Traveling
• Reading
• Shopping at secondhand stores
• Clara’s extended preschool days
• Volunteering at our local MOPS group
• Handwritten letters
• Yoga/boxing/running/being active
• Taking photos and capturing memories
• Changing seasons
• Change in general
• Writing/Journaling
• Adventures
• Airbnb (the only way I book travel for our family)
• Podcasts
• Seafood
• Comfortable friendships
• House slippers
• Fluffy blankets
• My (many) planners
• Amazon Fresh
• Witty people
• Trying something new
• Naptime (for the girls)
• Sparkling water
• Our community
• Tea (I drink this one every day)
• DVR
• Planning
• Library books
• Mixed drinks
• Top Chef
• This pasta recipe
• Toddler hugs

And Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my greatest loves – my husband and our two girls! I love that Tim is hardworking, silly, confident, and easy-going. I love that Clara is resilient, silly, nurturing, and enjoys learning. I love that Isabelle is affectionate, independent, brave, and enthusiastic. And (because self-love is important, too!) I love that I’m adventurous, witty, goal-oriented, and fun.

I hope you’re having a wonderful day celebrating love in all of its forms!