Valentines Day has changed: Dating, Kids and marriage and now..?

Valentine’s Day has changed so much over the years.

I still remember my first Valentine’s Day with my husband – young, in love, completely smitten, and eager to spend every minute with this amazing man who was still somewhat of a mystery to me. It was a big milestone in our relationship; our first ever Valentine’s day as a couple. We had been dating for nearly a year, and what better day than Valentine’s to show our love in the most loving (excuse the pun) and romantic way possible?

Our First Valentine’s Day: The Classic Love Story

In the build-up to it, I imagined how it would pan out – flowers, chocolates, a card expressing his love for me, a fancy dinner, and a movie. And guess what? That’s EXACTLY what I got. A cute teddy bear, my favourite chocolates, a bouquet of roses, a red card professing his true love, and of course, a candlelit dinner at a nice restaurant.

Year after year Valentines day looked something similar to this, showering each other with gifts and romantic gestures. And then… well, let me tell you about Valentine’s Day in 2025.

This year, Valentine’s Day looked a lot different compared to our early days. On February 14th, I spent the day working from home and looking after our sick son, while my husband went to work and dropped our other son off at nursery.

While he was at work, I popped into the shop to grab his (always) last-minute present. I swear, I can’t buy chocolates in advance in our house because my kids have a built-in radar for finding sweets and will find them no matter how well I hide them – this includes the big kid who helps them, aka my husband!

I grabbed his favourite Cadbury Fruit & Nut bar, but when I reached the card section, I was outraged—the cheapest Valentine’s card was nearly €10! I mean, love is priceless, but come on!

I knew I could get a better-quality card elsewhere for half the price in town. We live in the countryside and when it comes to spending you either buy what’s available – often very expensive with no big supermarket competitors, or drive into town for a bargain. So, I did the next best thing – I made a card. 💡

You know one great thing about a household with kids? Endless craft and random items for rainy days like this. My son and I got out the best red things we could find and started making a homemade Valentine’s Day card with red hearts, strings, and a whole lot of love.

That evening, when my husband got home, he had a bag of our favourite Chinese takeaway (very romantic, I know). Just as I was setting up the table with candles, my son proudly handed him the card (probably hoping for a bite of his chocolate). My husband melted reading the message.

A big hug, a kiss, and a delicious meal later, Valentine’s Day 2025 was complete.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about couples. It’s about celebrating love – whether you’re in a relationship or still waiting for Cupid’s arrow to strike.

For couples, it’s a reminder to rekindle the spark. But if you’re single, love starts with you. Learning to love yourself – especially if you’ve struggled with self-esteem – self-love is one of the purest forms of love.

And if no one has shown you love this year? There’s always next year to look forward to, your time will come, so enjoy the you time before a little people and a big person enter the picture.

Galentine’s Day: A Celebration of Love in All Forms

I think there’s a term for this—Galentine’s Day? Not sure if that’s just for celebrating with friends, but either way, it backs up the idea that love isn’t just for couples.

A Mini Storytime: The “Gift” of Singleness

Speaking of love, here’s a little story that happened that still makes me laugh when I think of it. Years ago, when I was very single (as in, single for years), I went out with a group from church.

Someone casually said, “Oh, well, you and I have been gifted with singleness.”

Excuse me? Gifted? I was out here praying for companionship! That was not my portion! 😂 And sometimes, you just have to trust God, trust the process – even when nobody is in sight.

Valentine’s Day: Then vs. Now

Over the years, we’ve moved away from the I guess “materialistic” side of Valentine’s. Now, thanks to a combination of busy schedules, kids, and (let’s be honest) laziness, Valentine’s is all about us and quality time.

Before bed, my husband and I will spend hours reminiscing about our early dating days, how our relationship has evolved, and how life has changed now that we have kids.

These conversations, these simple moments, are what make him my forever Valentine.

Romance Just Looks Different Now

Don’t get me wrong, romance is still matters. We still surprise each other with gifts, sneak in lunch dates during work breaks (because that’s the only alone time we get!), and cherish the little gestures that show we still mean the world to each other.

But when it comes to Valentine’s Day? Maybe it’s because every day is love (I promise I’m trying not to sound cheesy!), but we don’t need big gestures like before.

Whether we’re cooking steak and mash at home (like in 2024) or getting a cheeky takeaway (like in 2025), as long as we have each other and can say “I love you,” nothing else really matters.

One Last Question for You!

I need to know—when your significant other buys you a Valentine’s Day card, do you keep them or toss them after a while?

I recently found old Valentine’s cards from my husband and almost threw them out, but he was horrified – he’s kept every single one I’ve ever given him!

He doesn’t even bring them out to read, so why keep them?

👉 Do you guys hold onto your Valentine’s Day cards, or do they eventually get the boot? Let me know – I’m curious!