A Magical Tradition Born From Love and Imagination (and an old shoebox)

The Valentine Visitor tradition began in our home with a tiny lovebug our daughter named Skizzy.

The February our daughter turned four she received a special note from an imaginary Valentine bug (AKA Mom).  She started writing little notes to Skizzy (with a bit of parental help) in a small notebook — drawings, questions, and sweet messages filled with imagination. Each night she would leave the notebook out, wondering if Skizzy might visit and write back.

Soon something magical began to happen.

Each morning, she would run to check the notebook to see if Skizzy (aka MOM)...ok, maybe DAD once in a while) wrote back. Sometimes there were encouraging notes, sometimes silly drawings, and sometimes small surprises. Her excitement built day after day as Valentine’s Day got closer. And we loved the emotional exchange she was having with her imaginary friend.

Then one night she decided Skizzy needed a place to stay.

So, we did what many families do when imagination takes over — we colored and decorated a simple shoebox and turned it into Skizzy’s little home. Our daughter added hearts, drawings, and windows, imagining it as the cozy cottage where Skizzy stayed during February visits.

The shoebox and notebook became the center of the tradition.

Each night she would leave notes and drawings inside for Skizzy, and each morning she couldn’t wait to see what Skizzy might have left in return.

What started as a simple idea quickly became a family tradition we looked forward to every year.

Over time we realized the tradition was about so much more than surprises. It was about encouraging:

• kindness
• creativity and imagination
• meaningful moments between parent and child

By the end of the season, the notebook was filled with memories — drawings, messages, and the magic we had shared together.  Our daughter is now 20 years old, and we still have these cherished notebooks of memories. 

That little notebook and decorated shoebox are what inspired The Valentine Visitor.

Because sometimes the simplest traditions become the ones children remember forever.