Growing up, I never believed in Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny and was very skeptical of the Tooth Fairy. But you know what I did believe in? The Valentine Man. That’s right. The Valentine Man.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I found out that not everyone got a visit from the Valentine Man. So I’ll explain.
On Valentine’s Day, sometime in the evening, the doorbell would ring and there would be goodies left on our doorstep for each kid with a note wishing us a happy love day. And it was signed, “The Valentine Man.” And as a kid, I was certain that all the goodies were really just for me and that I shouldn’t have to share with brothers.
A man flying with reindeer and a rabbit being smart enough to hide baskets was hard to believe. Too illogical and impractical. But a man who wanted to bring me a love note with chocolate? That I could buy into. Clearly, I was a bit of an egoist as a child.
I think the tradition originated with my grandfather (my mom’s father) since all my cousins and now their kids have the Valentine Man visit them. I only have one memory of my grandfather (he passed away when I was 4) but I love that this tradition carries on his memory!
It also makes me so happy to hear from blog readers who have since implemented this tradition with their families after I first blogged about it in 2011!
Our Valentine Man Tradition
If you’ve read my blog for a while, you probably know how much I love Valentine’s Day – even in my single years. And it doesn’t hurt that some of my favorite memories with Tommy are also on Valentine’s Day. He accidentally told me he loved me on our first Valentine’s Day together…only 3 months into dating.
You can read the whole story here, but in short, we didn’t do anything fancy that day. No nice dinner reservation or nice gifts, but Tommy did what he thought’d I love: Thai takeout from Harris Teeter (the best in Winston Salem, BTW), a bottle of wine, and a card. He nailed it. As he was about to pick up dinner, he said “I’ll be right back, I love you!” so casually that I didn’t know what to say. So, I said, “Uh okay! See you soon!”.
Obviously, the rest is history. And it’s one of my favorite stories ever, on my favorite holiday!
Even now as an adult and even though I live across the country from my mom (I’m in North Carolina and she’s in Utah), she still sends me a Valentine’s Day package. I mean, somehow the Valentine Man still finds me every year… his handwriting just looks eerily similar to my mom’s. Now that I’m an adult, I get fancy chocolate (she’s a bit of a chocolate connoisseur), cute kitchen towels and last year she included some little toys for Thomas!
In 2017, she sent a My Little Pony that looked JUST like the one I loved as a little girl.
I also found this photo from 2010 (yes, REALLY!).
Like I said, this tradition is long-standing.
Now that I’m a mom myself, I’m really excited to start the Valentine Man tradition in our house with Thomas. I hope he’ll grow to love it the same way I did as a kid. I’m working on making his Valentine’s Man basket right now, and I’m sharing some of my gift ideas for littles in this post.
If you need gift ideas for adults, I share my top picks for guys here and my top picks for the ladies here. (I also include some comfy, cozy and dressy outfits in this post!)
If you have a similar tradition in your family, let me know in the comments!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
My Favorite V-Day Finds
27 Comments
Lauren
atHaha, this is too cute! I love the idea of a Valentines Day Man! 🙂 Why not!
Chase
atAdorable! I want my own Valentine Man 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
atThat’s so cute – I love it!
April
atYou are so cute, love that picture! I hope you enjoyed this special day with your real Valentine Man (aka Rob).
Joyce @ Flowing To Fifty
atI love the Valentine Man!!! If I believe, will he come to my door too?
Happy V day.
Dana @ My Little Celebration
atoh my gosh, you’re such a cutie in that picture. Happy vday teri!
Katie
atYesssssss. I LOVE this. I kind of want to start the “Valentine’s Day Man” with my kiddos. Also, you’re the most adorable little girl ever.
(and I can’t wait to see you’re new hair color!)
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
atHahahaha – what a fun story! I hope the Valentine Man still stops by house tonight to drop off some candy! 🙂
Blog is the New Black
atYou were and are adorable!
Karen
atThat’s so cute!! You are adorable in your picture!
Alaina @ The Jogging Concierge
atHaha, love it. You look so happy about that Valentine Man! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Megan (Running Foodie)
atLove that picture! what a cute story and tradition 🙂
Annette
atWhat a fabulous idea/tradition 🙂 I might have to steal this…..
Mel
atThis is an adorable idea! Every little girl deserves a love letter haha
Holly
ati hope you dyed and styled your hair exactly like it is in that picture. it would be your best do yet 🙂
Jill
atThat is TOO funny! I wish I had a Valentine Man. I guess my fiance is the Valentine Man, actually!
Kacy
atThat is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard!
Lisa (Im an Okie)
atSo cute! The story is almost as cute as you were/are 🙂
Lindsey @ Lindselicious
atThis story is too cute!! What a nice tradition to have while growing up…
Jess @atasteofconfidence
athaha that is awesome, and i love the pic of mini you! so cute.
[email protected]lifestyle
atHappy Valentines day!!
janetha
atYou were the cutest kid!! Love the Valentine Man story.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather
atWhat a cute story! Did your valentines day man come this year?
Michelle
atI love that story and you’re picture! So adorable.
Damaris
atThat is classic. I loved this post.
corine pugmire
atso funny. I teach kindergarten and one of my students asked what cupid brought me for Valentine’s day. Cupid? yeah he said. He’s kind of like santa. he comes to your house and gives you presents on V-day. I’d never heard of it. And then this post. funny tradition.