A Legacy of Love: Celebrating Valentine’s Day and Grandma’s Birthday

Happy Valentine’s Day! While the rest of the world is focused on candy hearts and last-minute roses, for my family, today is rooted in a much deeper history.

February 14th was Grandma B’s birthday.

Growing up, today wasn't just a Hallmark holiday—it was a full-blown celebration of one of the women who anchored our family. My childhood memories of this day are filled with the hum of a sewing machine and the rustle of fabric. When my sisters and I were young, my Mom or Grandma would spend the days leading up to the 14th making us special dresses or scarves to wear for the big occasion.

I can still see the sea of pink, red, and hearts. Pink was Grandma’s favorite color, and she made sure we were all decked out in it. As we got older, the handmade dresses morphed into Valentine’s socks, handmade cards, and boxes of Tootsie Rolls, but the sentiment never changed: Love is something you show through your actions and your hands.

From Pink Dresses to Quilted Hugs

Looking back, I realize that those handmade Valentine's outfits were part of my first introduction to what I now call "A Giant Hug." Grandma B and my Mom weren't just making clothes; they were stitching their love into something we could physically wear.

That is exactly why I do what I do today at Lots of Love - Killey. When I’m in the studio working on a memory quilt or finishing a longarm project, I often think about the "pink dress" days. I’m not just joining pieces of fabric; I’m helping my clients continue the tradition of handmade legacy.

A Day for Remembrance

Valentine’s Day can be a complicated holiday for many. But whether you celebrate it to the fullest with a candlelit dinner or acknowledge that it’s just another day on the calendar, it serves as a beautiful prompt to remember those you love.

For me, it’s a day to remember Grandma B’s favorite color, the sound of her laugh, and the way she made a simple piece of fabric feel like the most important gift in the world.

So today, I’m wearing a little pink and thinking of her. Whether your loved ones are still here to share a Tootsie Roll with or they live on in the traditions they left behind, take a moment to celebrate the legacy they gave you.

I’d love to hear from you: Is there a specific tradition or "color" that reminds you of someone you love?