Growing up in a house full of girls, when Valentines Day came around, my parents wanted to make sure that my 3 sisters and I knew what it meant to feel loved and special. So since we were very young they started this tradition that we call the Love Feast. I’m not too sure when it started, but it remains one of our favorite traditions. And even though we’re all older – I’m married, and some sisters are dating – we still celebrate.

Here’s how the Love Feast has always gone down…

My mom sets the table with her nice china. We only use this on special occasions and for holidays, so it’s always a treat for us to use it (my sisters and I are definitely southern belles and love the age old tradition of wedding china).

My dad has always gotten us flowers (not pictured in this setting because they are in another room). He usually places them all at each place setting for us to come into.

This year, my sis’ boyfriend surprised us all with our own Starbucks. Although this is not tradition, it is graciously welcomed and such a treat!

Everyone usually makes sweet love notes for one another and places them at each setting at the table. Sometimes gifts are involved (and these are my favorite times because I love gifts). This year one sister got balloons for everyone while another gave Starbucks travel mugs stuffed with Hershey Kisses. This year my husband and I gave my sister’s nail polish, and my parents and my sis’ boyfriends their favorite candy.

We also found super cute Boo Bear Valentines from Target, and since that is my favorite dog I HAD to give them out as well.

Traditionally we usually have a candle-lit Love Feast dinner which is prepared by my mom and is usually red or pink in color. Some dinners that we have had in the past include shrimp scampi, chicken marinara, or crab legs and shrimp. Whatever is prepared its always really special and made with love.

This year however, we had a brunch with assorted fresh donuts (brought by yours truly), homemade waffles, a veggie frittata, sausage links, and fresh fruit. It was absolutely wonderful!

During the pre-boyfriend era, we would go around the table and tell each person what we love about them. It was a great way to take time, and to share our heart in a safe environment. I think this taught us how important it is to verbally tell someone that you love and appreciate them.

Now that there is one addition to our family, and 2 guests at the table, we have opted out of this tradition so we don’t make them feel completely awkward.

This year my mom gave each couple a card game full of cutesy love questions written on them. Instead of playing by the rules, we went around the circle and answered questions about our other half. Some of the questions were like ” If your significant other won the lottery would they pay off debt, buy a sports car or go on vacation?” or “When your significant other wakes up in the morning what dwarf do they most resemble? Happy, Doppy, Grumpy, or Sleepy?” Needless to say, things got really entertaining.

What we’ve learned from the Love Feast:

• We are valued.
• We are to be acknowledged and treated very special.
• When people love you, they show it in words in actions.
• It is important to think of others, especially family, and let them know that you love and care for them.
• Love can be displayed in different ways – in gifts, in hugs and kisses, in words, in quality time and in acts of service.
• Even when life is busy, or messy, we’ve learned how to take the time to love and love well.

I know that everyone has different ideas of how holidays should be celebrated, but this is a tradition that I hope never ends. You may think it is weird and unnecessary, but everyone needs to know what it means to be loved.

What are some of your favorite family traditions?