I’ve never been a huge Valentine’s Day person. Always a big relief to Scott.
My first Valentine’s Day memory goes all the way back to pre-K. I didn’t get my valentines on Valentine’s Day because I was — once again — in trouble for talking in class.
I remember sitting there, watching my classmates open their little red cards and surprises. The excitement. The embarrassment. The feeling of not being in the moment.
It stuck with me.
I did get my valentines the next day. But it didn’t feel the same.
Don’t get me wrong — I still love chocolate. And those little conversation hearts make me smile every time. I also love Valentine’s Day for kids… except for the kids who don’t get as many cards as their friends. That part has always stayed with me, too.
Maybe that’s why I’ve never believed love fits neatly into one day on the calendar.
Love deserves more time than that.
What I do love is gifting something that tells a story.
Something that says:
I see you.
I appreciate you.
I want this to last.
Whether it’s for your best friend, the family you chose, the family you were born into, your kids, your partner, or your spouse — giving a gift that feels thoughtful and enduring always feels more meaningful than something that disappears in a few days.
Love isn’t just about romance.
It’s about connection, admiration, gratitude, and care — shown in ways that feel real.
That’s why I’m drawn to gifts that grow.
An amaryllis bulb that blooms slowly and surprises you weeks later.
A desktop garden that becomes part of someone’s everyday rhythm.
A mint patio garden that shows up in tea, meals, cocktails, and quiet moments of care.
These aren’t just gifts. They’re experiences.
They invite someone into something lasting — something that unfolds over time. They show up again and again, quietly reminding the person who received them that they’re loved.
And in a world that moves quickly, that kind of reminder matters.
Maybe Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be the main event.
Maybe it can be the starting point.
The beginning of a year filled with more gratitude.
More intentional gestures.
More reminders — for ourselves and for others — that love is something we practice, not something we perform.
What if Valentine’s Day wasn’t about getting it perfect for one day, but about setting the tone for many days that follow?
Now that would make a difference in your life.
This year, I’m choosing gifts that last longer than a day.
Gifts that grow.
Gifts that invite care.
Gifts that tell a story of admiration, connection, and appreciation.
Because love, at its best, isn’t fleeting.
It’s something we nurture — day after day.
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