Valentine’s Day is big around our house. Really big. In fact, it’s probably the holiday on which we decorate and go all-out the most. We have several Valentine’s Day traditions and treats, and it just might be my personal favorite family holiday. We’re all about the love around here! 
We spent nearly all day yesterday decorating and cooking, decking the halls with piles of hearts and lots of red and pink. Our usual Valentine’s Day celebrations include things like this: plenty of candy hearts and chocolate, a candlelight dinner of one of our favorite meals, special sparkling juice drinks, fancy desserts, and of course, a romantical movie. In fact, it was on a Valentine’s Day when I saw my first film version of Sense and Sensibility. But that’s another story for another day.
that glistening, golden mound of goodness is baked brie cheese wrapped in a puff pastry. i died. i think we all did.
Our favorite Valentine’s Day tradition is one we have kept up for as long as I can remember. Prior to our dinner, each of us make lists of what we love about each other. After we have sufficiently dined, we go around the table and read our lists. It always makes me feel so warm and fuzzy and loved inside.
And for our romantical movie? Well, usually we do choose something that’s definitely a love story. Last year it was Sense and Sensibility 2008, the year before was Sense and Sensibility 1995 (a theme, you say? where on earth did you get such an idea?). But this year was a bit different…
As we ate our dessert (a scrumptious lemon cheesecake), we watched the last three episodes of the first season of BBC’s Robin Hood. Not exactly a love story (well, it kind of is, I suppose), but Little Wilson and I especially couldn’t imagine watching anything else when we had the ending of ROBIN HOOD to see. This show… it’s kinda addictive. And I’m kinda in love with it. Yes, it’s outrageously unrealistic and pretty cheesy at times, but it is so much (MUCH! sorry, any Robin Hood fans will get that) fun. I was pretty hyped during the season finale, vacillating between crying and applauding. “THAT CHARACTER’S NOT DEAD. YAY! MY FAVORITE CHARACTER CAME BACK. HUZZAAAAAH! OHHH, NOW HE’S CRYING AND NOW I’M A SOGGY MESS.” Yup. This show and I. We’re pretty tight. Now I just need to convince certain people in my family that no, we don’t need to take a break from Robin Hood for a while because we need to get the second season NOW. And for all of you Robin Hood fans, I know you’ll ask, so my favorite characters are Will Scarlet, Djaq, Much, and Allan, in that order. And I’m not being funny (sorry, another Robin Hood joke), but this picture from the last episode is just about the cutest thing evah (it may or may not be gracing my desktop at the moment):
Like I said before, Valentine’s Day just might be my favorite holiday, simply because of all the traditions and memories attached to it. Basically, folks? My family is just the greatest. We spent the evening laughing until we cried and sharing smiles and making lifetime memories. What could be better?
We are, we are not your ordinary family, but we can all agree that we are, we are close as close can be. So it don’t matter what it looks like, we look perfect to me. – “we are” by keke palmer
Happy (late) Valentine’s Day, everyone!
country girl
AWE! That seriously sounds like the way I always wanted Valentines Day to be. Just as special as Christmas! I mean seriously? Its all about love, and and anyone that knows me would know that that’s like my….my….well, me. haha.
No kidding, as i’m reading this, I put Robin Hood into my laptop, not knowing you would speak of it. I told a friend I would check it out. (Okay, I thought it was just really cheesy before, and so I got a later season, and am trying it again.) You’d suggest it?
It sounds like you had a lovely Valentines Day
Lots of hugs! -Lauricia
Would I suggest it? In a word: YES.
It is cheesy at times, but that just makes it more fun, in my opinion. It’s so hilarious and adventurous and wonderful and has so many delightful characters. I love it!
Love your valentine’s day traditions, Petie. My family has always gone all-out for Valentines dinner…we pull out the china, dress up in our formals and act totally ridiculous
That last family portrait? Beautiful…you guys are a seriously good looking crew.
And as for Robin Hood? Love that show to pieces for all it’s sappiness and predictability. Seriously missing it…time to re-watch I think… Oh, and we have a sign hanging in my family’s dining room that says “Live well, laugh often, love much.” and we all let out a little giggle whenever we pass by
LOVE MUCH. You have no idea how hard I laughed at that. I see that kind of sign all the time, and now I will never look at it the same again.
Haha…yeah, it got a little crazy though when siblings started writing other characters names on the index cards and taping it onto…eg. “Live well, laugh often, love GISBOURNE!” Yeah. We amuse ourselves
Wow, I love this! It’s fantastic that you can take something that has become so cheap and commercialised, and turn it into something so special. I’ve never seen any of that Robin Hood, except for a few clips on You Tube. Mostly ones featuring Richard Armitage. I guess I’ll have to watch it some day!
Your family is SO cute! ..And you went all out! I would’ve.. but I was at play practice all day.
xoxo, hope your Valentine’s was wonderful dear one!
this makes me really happy.
Valentines day has never been a huge thing at our house, but we do celebrate it a little bit. and these pictures are so fun! ALSO, MUCH! i totally got that one. and i’ve never even seen this BBC Robin Hood. i don’t want to be crushed at the end, okay. but maybe i shall venture. MAYBE. 
this is lovely, Petie. happy (day after) Valentines day!
xx.
The decor is so pretty Petie!
I think I’ll check out Robin Hood tonight…
AWWW! L O V E this so much. you’re decorations are so pretty and valentiney (please, love my adjectives :p).
and Robinhood! Loved the jokes (and proceeded to laugh at each one). I have to ask. . . where is Marian and Robinhood on the list?
Weelllll… Heh. I like Marian and Robin alright, I suppose, but they’re not my favorites. There are plenty other characters I love much more than them! (COUGHWILLANDDJAQCOUGH) I like Robin more than Marian, though, but Marian did kinda redeem herself on the last episode. I almost screamed with delight when she ripped off her veil at the wedding and punched out a certain someone, a certain someone who needed a good punching out.
Petie, this is one of the sweetest posts I’ve read in a long time. I actually got kind of emotional when reading it…I don’t know, maybe because my family is in a really busy stage right now and I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with them…or maybe it’s because I’m extra tired right now…but whatever it is, I realized that I miss family nights. I want to make a conscious effort to bless my family and love them and find time to slow down even amidst the busyness
I really enjoyed reading about your sweet family traditions. I love how you all write notes to eachother and how you decorate and such. SO cute. You have given me ideas for future years when perhaps I have my own family. 
Blessings!
~Madi
I love your Valentine’s decorations! They’re so cute! My family has decorations and plates for most holidays, but we didn’t get to put our Valentine’s decorations out this year since we’re moving
And I love how y’all have Valentine’s traditions! I LOVE traditions sooo much! (haha, Robin Hood geek over here!) We don’t have a lot of traditions for this holiday, but I’d love to make some of my own when I have a family of my own! Maybe I’ll steal some of yours 
So glad you’re loving Robin! It’s so fun for me thinking about all the stuff still to come that you don’t know about yet 
Bwahaha, the things you don’t know that I do….just wait, my friend, just wait 
Love ya,
-mal
hey petie, this is kelsey, im just now visiting your blog and I have a good feeling im going to have a new favorite blog
loved ur valentines decore! origonal and vintage <3