You’re never too old to love Valentine’s Day

You get to a point in your parenting life when Valentine’s Day no longer means scanning Pinterest for adorable-but-foolproof classroom treats (pretzel buttons to the rescue!) or helping your daughter address another big pile of SpongeBob SquarePants cards.

It no longer means classroom parties with pink-frosted cupcakes, turning a tissue box into a mailbox, or trying to keep your son from overdosing on Fun Dip.

I fondly remember one elementary school Valentine’s Day when the teacher opted for cheese pizzas and a crock pot full of barbecued cocktail weenies instead of all that sweet stuff. It made me heart that teacher even more.

I’ve bonded with other parents over red-cellophane treat bags and sparkly pencils, Rice Krispies treats and handfuls of Red Hots, chocolate cakes covered with doilies and dusted with powdered sugar.

Those were good times, and I’ll miss them a little. But I could get used to our new, modern Valentine’s Day.

My husband and I have dinner reservations at a restaurant we’ve been meaning to try. My 17-year-old daughter has plans with her boyfriend. My son, a freshman, will attend his first homecoming dance with a group of friends.

So our family will go our separate ways this Saturday, but we’ll all still honor the Feast of Saint Valentine.

Because say what you want about how it’s a made-up, ridiculous, commercialized, guilt-inducing, sickeningly sweet Hallmark holiday: I say you’re never too old – or too cynical – for Valentine’s Day.

My son, Jack, for instance, is way past the cuddle stage and prefers fist bumps to public hugs. But even he will admit Valentine’s Day has its perks. Most come in the form of sugar and chocolate, and those “Secret Crush” cans of soda delivered to unsuspecting high-schoolers.

These days Jack likes valentines with a tinge of nerdy, scientific humor, like the photograph of a bloody cow heart that he Instagrammed last year with the caption “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

My daughter, Hannah, meanwhile, during a recent grocery shopping trip, greeted a display of oversized teddy bears with the unabashed glee of a 5-year-old, quickly grabbing one of the bears and giving it a squeeze. She, too, loves flowers, chocolate, poetry and heartfelt cards.

And me? I appreciate the midwinter prompt to cuddle a little closer to the people you love. (And also chocolate.)

I think it’s sweet to leave love notes on a bathroom mirror or to surprise your spouse with breakfast in bed. Pancakes made in the shape of hearts or letters that spell out “I love you”? Even better.

There’s nothing wrong with sticking a box of candy hearts in your teenager’s lunchbox, or a note signed with X’s and O’s.

Let them roll their eyes. Whatever.

You know they love it.

This story was originally published February 11, 2015 at 2:43 PM with the headline "You’re never too old to love Valentine’s Day."