“Fancy” Valentines Dinner
Several years ago, I started a Valentines family dinner at home. I wanted to create a simple and attainable tradition where we could show by example to our boys how to celebrate life and love in a meaningful way.
When my middle son was a toddler, he called it our “fancy” dinner, and the name has stuck.
Our children’s absolute favorite restaurant is Olive Garden. So, I decided to recreate their favorite meal at home and have done this every year since. I simply make spaghetti, breadsticks and complete it with dessert, and voila! Some years we have done Brownie sundaes, and this year they have requested my Oreo cookie layered pudding. One year my husband thought to pick up a bag of Andes mints to set at the table to really recreate an Olive Garden experience at home.
Most importantly, this creates a special memory for them and gives them something to look forward to.
I buy fresh flowers for the table, light a few candles, use real dishes, and my husband and I actually change into something nice to wear. Some years I switch things up and purchase Valentine themed paper goods to brighten up the tablescape.
During the meal, we go around and share something we love or appreciate about each person in our family. This is by far my favorite part. Watching their faces light up as they hear others speak life into them and call out the gifts God has placed within them, is priceless. Sometimes they squirm in discomfort, but it’s good for all of us to feel loved and vocally appreciated by those closest to us.
We live in a culture that wants to find a shortcut for everything, and I want to encourage us to put forth effort from time to time. I still believe there’s something valuable and rewarding about planning ahead and serving our families in times of celebration.
If you don’t already have a way in which you commemorate Valentines with your family, I encourage you to get creative and come up with something that is both enjoyable and significant to your family! After all, this holiday is all about love. And if God is love, our children get their first glimpses of their Father’s love through us.
I hope and pray my life and actions are pointing them to the love they have in our Savior.
Life is beautiful and it is worthwhile to intentionally pour into our children and families. Your efforts won’t return void.
On this journey with you,
~Rachel
For fun, if you need a new dessert recipe to try with your family, I thought I’d share my Cookie Layered Pudding! This is a great and easy one your kids could even help with.
Ingredients:
1 container whipped topping
1 box chocolate pudding
1 bag Oreo cookies
2 cups milk
Directions:
Combine pudding mix and milk as instructed on the box and set aside.
Crumble all of the Oreo cookies and layer in the bottom of a deep serving bowl or dish, setting aside 1/2 cup of Oreo crumbs for later.
Spoon pudding evenly over cookie crumbs
Spread whipped topping over pudding
Add reserved cookie crumbs on top
Cover and chill before serving
Enjoy!