Family/ Life/ Recent

Our Valentine Man Tradition

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.

Our Valentine Man Tradition

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.

valentine man tradition ideas

I also found this photo from 2010 (yes, REALLY!).

Like I said, this tradition is long-standing.

happy valentines card and chocolates

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

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27 Comments

  • Reply
    Lauren
    at

    Haha, this is too cute! I love the idea of a Valentines Day Man! 🙂 Why not!

  • Reply
    Chase
    at

    Adorable! I want my own Valentine Man 🙂

  • Reply
    chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    at

    That’s so cute – I love it!

  • Reply
    April
    at

    You are so cute, love that picture! I hope you enjoyed this special day with your real Valentine Man (aka Rob).

  • Reply
    Joyce @ Flowing To Fifty
    at

    I love the Valentine Man!!! If I believe, will he come to my door too?
    Happy V day.

  • Reply
    Dana @ My Little Celebration
    at

    oh my gosh, you’re such a cutie in that picture. Happy vday teri!

  • Reply
    Katie
    at

    Yesssssss. 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!)

  • Reply
    Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
    at

    Hahahaha – what a fun story! I hope the Valentine Man still stops by house tonight to drop off some candy! 🙂

  • Reply
    Blog is the New Black
    at

    You were and are adorable!

  • Reply
    Karen
    at

    That’s so cute!! You are adorable in your picture!

  • Reply
    Alaina @ The Jogging Concierge
    at

    Haha, love it. You look so happy about that Valentine Man! Happy Valentine’s Day!

  • Reply
    Megan (Running Foodie)
    at

    Love that picture! what a cute story and tradition 🙂

  • Reply
    Annette
    at

    What a fabulous idea/tradition 🙂 I might have to steal this…..

  • Reply
    Mel
    at

    This is an adorable idea! Every little girl deserves a love letter haha

  • Reply
    Holly
    at

    i hope you dyed and styled your hair exactly like it is in that picture. it would be your best do yet 🙂

  • Reply
    Jill
    at

    That is TOO funny! I wish I had a Valentine Man. I guess my fiance is the Valentine Man, actually!

  • Reply
    Kacy
    at

    That is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard!

  • Reply
    Lisa (Im an Okie)
    at

    So cute! The story is almost as cute as you were/are 🙂

  • Reply
    Lindsey @ Lindselicious
    at

    This story is too cute!! What a nice tradition to have while growing up…

  • Reply
    Jess @atasteofconfidence
    at

    haha that is awesome, and i love the pic of mini you! so cute.

  • Reply
    [email protected]lifestyle
    at

    Happy Valentines day!!

  • Reply
    janetha
    at

    You were the cutest kid!! Love the Valentine Man story.

  • Reply
    Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather
    at

    What a cute story! Did your valentines day man come this year?

  • Reply
    Michelle
    at

    I love that story and you’re picture! So adorable.

  • Reply
    Damaris
    at

    That is classic. I loved this post.

  • Reply
    corine pugmire
    at

    so 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.

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