As that special time of the year approaches, one filled with love and anticipation, I believe Valentine’s Day isn’t just about celebrating with a significant other, but also with family and friends who make life extraordinary. This Valentine’s, I wanted to share the cherished moments with my husband, highlighting the simplicity and joy we find in personalized celebrations rather than extravagant parties. I’m reflecting on this past Valentine’s Day and looking forward to how we might celebrate in the future. What follows is an exploration of our traditions, the meaning we find in them, and how they’ve evolved over time, all woven into a story I hope resonates with you.
A Thoughtful Exchange of Gifts
My husband surprised me this year with a pair of beautiful earrings, a gift that holds a special place in my heart. There’s something about the way he knows me, the way he picks out things that feel so personal, that makes the moment unforgettable. In return, I prepared a delightful dinner for him and picked out some designer shirts, embracing the joy of thoughtful gestures. I’ve always preferred these intimate celebrations over loud parties, emphasizing the importance of quality time. The earrings sparkled under the soft light of our dining room as we sat down to eat, and I couldn’t help but smile at how much they meant to me. Not because they were diamonds, but because they were from him.
The dinner I made wasn’t anything overly fancy. I went with his favorite prawn curry dish along with my famous fried fish and veg side dish . It’s the kind of meal that has become easy for me to make multiple dishes in the kitchen espiecally organising so many get togethers, it became so routine for me. However, it still feels special when you’re sharing it with someone you love. I set the table with our favorite plates, the ones we bought on a whim during a weekend getaway years ago, and lit a couple of candles to keep the mood warm and relaxed. He wore one of the shirts I gave him, a deep blue one that is his favorite color, and we laughed about how I’d spent half an hour in the store debating between that and a gray one before finally deciding.
Sharing Our Vegas Honeymoon
As we embark on this new year, I wish everyone an abundance of happiness. Alongside this sentiment, I wanted to share a little piece of our story, a video capturing our long awaited Vegas honeymoon, a trip we kept postponing. We’d been married for a while before we finally made it happen, and it was worth the wait. The video shows us wandering the Strip, marveling at the lights, and laughing over drinks at a rooftop bar. There’s a clip of us at a little diner off the main drag, splitting a plate of fries and talking about nothing in particular, and it’s one of my favorite moments because it’s so us. Simple, easy, happy. I’ll probably upload that video somewhere, maybe to a blog or a social media page, because it feels like the kind of memory worth sharing.
Love in the Everyday Moments
Expressing love doesn’t always require extravagant gifts. Some of our most cherished moments involve skipping presents altogether and sharing a quiet, romantic dinner at home. One of my favorite ways to convey affection is through love notes strategically placed around the house, creating a sentimental touch that lasts longer than material gifts. I’ll tuck a note into his sock drawer that says something like, “You make every day better,” or slip one into the pocket of his jacket that just reads, “Thinking of you.” He finds them at the oddest times, like when he’s rushing out the door for work, and he’ll text me later to say it made his day. It’s a small thing, but it’s become one of our traditions.
Another gesture that never fails is a leisurely hand in hand walk by the lake, followed by an evening indulging in our favorite foods and ice creams. Spending time near the lake near that winds around it, and we’ve walked it so many times I could probably do it with my eyes closed. The water’s usually calm, reflecting the trees and the sky, and we’ll stroll along, sometimes talking, sometimes just enjoying the quiet. Afterward, we’ll stop by this little place that serves burgers and soft serve, and we’ll sit outside with our food, watching the sun dip lower. I remember one time in particular, maybe two years ago, when the air was crisp and the leaves were just starting to turn. We sat there with our ice cream, chocolate for him and vanilla for me, and it felt like the world slowed down just for us. That memory sticks with me because it was so ordinary, yet so perfect.
Romantic Touch with Flowers
While I’m not a huge fan of roses, Valentine’s Day holds a special exception. Knowing my husband’s preferences, he adorned our space with scattered flowers this year, creating a beautifully romantic atmosphere. I've always liked roses, the classic red ones. It wasn’t over the top, just enough to catch my eye when I walked in. I grinned and said it looked like something out of a movie, and he laughed because he loved my reaction. It’s these thoughtful touches that add a gorgeous flair to the day, and they don’t take much effort to pull off.
Our Valentine’s Day This Year
Our Valentine’s Day this year followed that same pattern of simplicity. After dinner, we watched a movie on the couch, some old romantic comedy we’d seen a dozen times but still found funny. The gifted earrings stayed on, catching the light every time I turned my head, and I caught him sneaking glances at me like he was proud of his choice. We didn’t need a big night out or a pile of gifts to feel connected. It was just us, the way we’ve always liked it.
Why Simplicity Works for Us
Reflecting on it now, I think that’s what I love most about how we celebrate. It’s not about keeping up with anyone else or checking off some list of what Valentine’s Day is supposed to be. It’s about what works for us. Some years we do the gifts, like this time with the earrings and shirts, and some years we don’t. There was one Valentine’s, early in our marriage, and instead of going out, we made our favorite biryani together from scratch. The kitchen was a mess, and we got spices everywhere, but we laughed so hard I could barely breathe. That night ended up being one of my favorites, not because it was grand, but because it was ours.
Finding Joy in the Little Things
I think that’s the key to it all, finding joy in the little things that make your partner feel special. For us, it’s the notes, the walks, the dinners at home. For someone else, it might be something totally different, like a surprise trip or a handmade gift. The point is that it’s personal, tailored to who you are and who they are. My husband knows I’d rather have a quiet night in than a crowded party, and I know he lights up when I pay attention to the details, like picking a shirt he’ll actually wear or he getting me roses that I love.
How Our Traditions Evolved
Over the years, we’ve built up these little rituals without really planning to. The beach walks started because it was close, and now it’s something we look forward to. The love notes began as a silly idea I had one morning, and now he expects them, hunts for them even. The Vegas honeymoon, delayed as it was, became a symbol of how we don’t rush things, how we wait until the time feels right. It’s funny how these habits sneak into your life and become the backbone of how you show you care.
A Message for Everyone
I suppose that’s why I wanted to write this, to capture what Valentine’s Day means to us and maybe inspire someone else to think about what it means to them. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype, the ads for jewelry and chocolates and overpriced dinners. But at its core, it’s just a day to say, “I see you, and I’m glad you’re here.” Whether that’s with jewelry or a handwritten note, it doesn’t matter. What matters is the feeling behind it.
Looking back on that Vegas trip, I think it sums us up pretty well. We’d talked about it forever, made plans, and then life kept getting in the way. Work, family stuff, random work, you name it. But when we finally went, it wasn’t about the glitz or the gambling or any of that. It was about walking through this crazy, loud place together, finding the quiet corners where we could just be. There’s a moment in the video where we’re sitting on a bench, people rushing by, and he’s got his arm around me, pointing at something in the distance. I don’t even remember what it was, but I remember how it felt, safe and steady in the middle of all that chaos.
Finding Your Own Moments
That’s what I’d tell anyone reading this, find your version of that bench.Whatever it is, hold onto it. Build it into your days, not just Valentine’s, but all year round. Because the big moments are great, the honeymoons and the diamond earrings, but it’s the small stuff that keeps you going. The walks, the notes, the dinners where you don’t have to say much because you already know.
So here’s to that, to love in all its forms, to the people who make life extraordinary, whether they’re your spouse or your best friend or your kid. As we move through, I hope everyone finds their own way to celebrate that, on Valentine’s Day and every day after. For me, it’ll be another year of quiet dinners and lake walks with my husband, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Happy Valentine’s, whenever yours might be.