Five Years of Valentine’s Day Photos: A Childhood Friendship Tradition

Some friendships start on the playground.

This one started with Ashley and me.

Before Maddy, Michael, and Hunter even understood what friendship was, we were doing life side by side. And now here we are, five years in, watching our kids build a friendship of their own.

Every February we line them up for their Valentine’s Day photo.

Five Years of Valentine’s Day Photos.

Same tradition. Completely different kids.

What began as a cute idea has turned into something I genuinely treasure. I get a front row seat to watch them grow. The baby faces slowly change. The personalities get bigger. The confidence shows up. They do not need much direction anymore, except for the occasional reminder when listening feels optional. They laugh. They negotiate who stands where. And somehow, every year, they make it completely their own.

When we look back at all five Valentine’s photos together, it is more than a row of cute pictures. It is history. It is connection. It is proof that showing up year after year matters.

Maddy.

Michael.

Hunter.

Five years old and already building something that feels like it will last.

And something tells me we will be lining them up in red and pink for many Februarys to come.