Aren’t holiday traditions grand?
Like leaving Christmas cookies out for Santa, and carrots for his reindeer on Christmas Eve. Santa always stops at the Coyle house because we also leave him a shot of Jack to warm his cockles, whatever those are.
Or dying two dozen Easter Eggs, staging an Easter Egg hunt in the backyard, and recovering only 23 eggs.
Then there is always the bewitching evening of carving Halloween pumpkins at the kitchen table and my annual fear of having to make a trip to the emergency room to reattach a severed finger or two.
Around Chez Coyle, Valentine’s Day is also rich in tradition. Ever since our three girls could say “Balentime’s Day,” my husband would get up before anyone was stirring and put together a breakfast extravaganza. The family party included heart-shaped pancakes, flowers and balloons at every place at the table, the candles lit, See’s candy, and a book. The books were always a classic. I love that man for good reason.
When our oldest daughter went off to college, she said in a wistful voice with a far-off look in her eye, “You know what I’m going to miss most about home?”
My mind raced through a myriad of possibilities.
- My warm embrace.
- Sleeping in her own bed in her room that looks more like a war zone than an inhabitable space.
- My home cooked meals.
- Gas money.
- Being grounded for two weeks after going to a beer bash.
Nope . . . none of the above. She said (cue far-off look), “Dad’s Valentine’s Day breakfasts.”
Now that the girls are scattered in three different states and because heart-shaped pancakes don’t ship well, my husband sends them a mini-celebration that always includes See’s chocolate hearts and cash.
Last year he started a new Coyle Valentine’s tradition. In addition to candy and money, he issued a challenge.
“Cool beer in cool places . . . take some of this money, buy an interesting beer, and take a photo of yourself drinking the beer in a cool place. Submit your photographs and I will judge the competition.”
My husband is the only guy I know who can take the day to celebrate love and romance and turn it into a cutthroat competition.
What do the girls make of this? They are all over it. The deadline to enter the contest is next weekend and I’ll post the photos once the battle is over.
I thought you might like to see last year’s entries.
Daughter One: On stage at a comedy club in Los Angeles. No, she isn’t a stand-up comedian but was dating one at the time.
Daughter Two: Snowboarding in Vail. Yes, she is a snowboarder.
Daughter Three: Fishing the Snake River in Boise. Yes, she is an angler. And beer brewer.
Husband: Striking a goofy pose in the backyard of Chez Coyle.
Happy Valentine’s Day folks!
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4amWriter said:
I love this contest idea. Mainly because I love beer, not V-Day, so I would be totally all over this. Our tradition is to have a picnic on the living room floor. NH in February is a little chilly to be outside, so we do it inside, picnic basket, blankets, the whole shebang. It’s fun and inexpensive and I still get to drink my beer picnic-style, out of a plastic cup. 🙂
robincoyle said:
Indoor picnic! Love it. How romantic. And no champagne for you. Beer in a red solo cup is more classy.
Let's CUT the Crap! said:
Outstanding. Wow, what a guy: good-looking (must be, you married him), imaginative and a great cook. What else can you ask for? Lucky lady and daughters too.
robincoyle said:
He is a handsome fellow and I am a lucky lady. He treats us like royalty but not all mushy and sappy. He makes it fun and creative. Keeps me hopping!
paulaacton said:
I got a very special delivery through they post yesterday not quite a valentines delivery but I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
robincoyle said:
Oh good! You got my note this time! As soon as I saw that article, I thought of you. Happy belated Valentine’s Day.
Subtlekate said:
What beautiful traditions you have. I love it. I still pause when I read holiday. To us a holiday is a vacation and my befuddled mind though you were going on a holiday ( vacation) and I was all excited for you. But happy valentine, where ever you may be sweet Robin.
robincoyle said:
I love that you across the pond call vacations a “holiday.” It sounds so sophisticated. I bet our family is the only family on the planet where beer is part of the Valentine’s Day tradition.
Subtlekate said:
Beer should be part of every tradition.
Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife said:
No contest!
robincoyle said:
But who is the winner?
Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife said:
Your husband, of course!
robincoyle said:
He will be thrilled to hear it!
Elliot said:
In the UK Valentines is more about couples / romantic partners, not the “child sends card to everyone in class” type thing that gors on here. It still seems weird to me when a relative e.g. an aunt, sends a card to my son.
robincoyle said:
Everyone plays along here in the US, but in reality, you are right. It is about romance, right?
Elliot said:
Well hopefully. Being male I have to complain about the effort a little bit, even if I put it in anyway.
robincoyle said:
Oh, you men.
harperfaulkner said:
You were right! I would not want to have missed this post. Phone gets you just fine! Did I tell you for Christmas my daughter enrolled me in a micro- brewery beer club! I get four kinds of beer every month! Coolest gift I ever got! HF
robincoyle said:
Weird that you can get it on your phone. Have you tried that age old trick of restarting your computer?
That is a great gift. My husband and daughter brew beer, but I bet they would enjoy getting that. What company did she go through?
harperfaulkner said:
I’ll get back to you on that! Last month I had beer with skull and crossbones on the cap! Completely awesome and the beer was good, too!
robincoyle said:
My husband and daughter want to start a microbrewery. I suggested they name it “Oh Hoppy Day.” I thought I was being so clever, but it is taken already!
robincoyle said:
Harper! I’ve tried to read your last few posts and it says “Page not found.” Do you know what is going on?
harperfaulkner said:
Yes, I took them down. Wasn’t happy with them. My bad once again. HF
robincoyle said:
Are you editing and then going to repost?
Polly Robinson said:
Loving those Valentine’s Day traditions Robin ~ can’t wait for this year’s pics 😀
robincoyle said:
I’ll be sure to post them week after next . . .
diannegray said:
This is fabulous, Robin. Any men the girls ever meet will never be able to live up to their dad! What a wonderful man he must be – you are all very lucky indeed 😀
robincoyle said:
I like to think HE is the lucky one. Just kidding. I hit it out of the ballpark when I found him.
The Hook said:
Beautiful work, Robin – as a writer, blogger and mom!
robincoyle said:
Yes, promoting drinking to my children is sure to bring parenting awards my way.
The Hook said:
These days it might!
heylookawriterfellow said:
Nothing strengthens the bond between parent and child more than drinking. That’s what I tell my six-year-old!
Kidding! Just kidding!
robincoyle said:
Well, you and your six-year-old can drink cherry-cola together!
Dennis Langley said:
Okay, I understand and I applaud vigorously. If you’re going to celebrate, go BIG! Brilliant idea in a house with four girls. Smart man. BTW I love your back yard!!!
robincoyle said:
Thanks! We re-did the yard last year. Took out all the grass, put in a meandering flagstone path, and a greenhouse. We love it!
Dennis Langley said:
I’ve always felt of Kentucky bluegrass as a weed that should be replaced with gardens and walkways. This can be problematic when I’m working at the U of M Extension Plant Clinic and someone asks how they can improve their lawn. 😉
robincoyle said:
Ha! Our poor lawn didn’t get enough sun and the drainage was poor so it was more like a swamp than a lawn. We are experimenting with the greenhouse and waiting for the plants in the garden to fill in more. However, the birds love it here more than they ever did when we had a traditional backyard.
Ally Bean said:
Fun idea. I’m not much for traditions, but that is one that I could get behind… perhaps for all holidays? Hmmm.
robincoyle said:
Excellent idea! Beer for all seasons!
on thehomefrontandbeyond said:
you two are way too cool – love your traditions! I may swipe this idea for my boys
robincoyle said:
Swipe away! Your boys will love it.
the eternal traveller said:
I’ll be at your place next Valentine’s Day. Save me a place at the table!
robincoyle said:
Excellent. The more the merrier when it comes to Valentine’s cool place, cool beer competitions!
Judith Atwood said:
RObin, I love all of your traditions — I wish I had grown up in such a family!
robincoyle said:
Our family is rather crazy. But we do love a good beer and a friendly competition!
Zen A. said:
Your husband is awesome. I don’t drink beer, but that’s a fun way to celebrate the day. You and your daughters are certainly lucky!
robincoyle said:
Yes we are! He is a great guy and instills fun in everything we do.
EllaDee said:
Fantastic… not even a sniff of a Hallmark moment. Your husband is a gem. As the saying goes “his blood’s worth bottling”! 🙂
robincoyle said:
It will come as no surprise to you that he does NOT include a Hallmark card in the packages too the girls. The competition rules were scribbled on a scrap of paper!
acoyle said:
I’m a the oldest daughter, and I can say this much. I do miss hanging out with my rents everyday, and my room (which I like to think is no much more liveable now especially since making the bed is a priority in the Coyle house) and my moms cooking (whenever I make a trip home she always asks what I want even thought I’m sure she knows it will always be my favorites.). But, Valentines day has always been something special in my family. Maybe this was his plan all along, but my dad has virtually ruined any boyfriends chance of having my heart on this day. A quick date to TGIFs or the local bar, or even a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates will never meet the bar my dad has set. And frankly, I find no disappointment in this. I love having my dad as my forever Valentine. Last years twist to this day simply summarizes my family. The family has matured to the point that we are all on different places, moving constantly, experiencing our own seperate and exciting lives. But even when miles apart, nothing like a little competition brings us closer together. And to that I say, “Game On!”
Richard Coyle said:
You’re going down.
robincoyle said:
Aw, honey. That is so sweet. And yes, your bed is made. You girls have a special place in Dad’s heart. I think his competition brings us together even though we can’t physically be together. And maybe a way to keep men from stealing your hearts!
Can’t wait to see what you come up with cool-beer, cool-place wise.
Lori D said:
This is awesome, Miss Robin. Love the fun of it for your family. I’m going to share what we did tomorrow (Friday), but now it’s time for nighty-night. Goodnight.
robincoyle said:
I’ll watch for your post. Did it involve beer in cool places by chance?
Lori D said:
Yep, we copied off of you … not … lots of food though. Just getting ready to click publish.
robincoyle said:
And I just hopped over for a visit! Great tradition.
kindredspirit23 said:
Wow! I don’t drink beer and that still looks like fun.
robincoyle said:
I believe any beverage of choice can be used in the competition!
Kylie said:
What a fun family!!
robincoyle said:
Fun, and a little crazy!
Perfecting Motherhood said:
Haha, your husband sure knows how to keep the Valentine’s Day tradition alive and fresh!
robincoyle said:
Yes he does. He also does what the girls refer to as “Dad’s Adventures” . . . be it a hike, mountain bike ride, river rafting, or whatever. They go out and take on physical challenges and I stay home to make a meal to feed the hungry adventurers! I’m not crazy like they are.
Perfecting Motherhood said:
Haha, I’m on your side!
jmgoyder said:
Great idea and great family!
robincoyle said:
Thanks jm!
omawarisan said:
I like it. Can I come over?
robincoyle said:
If you bring a cool beer!
omawarisan said:
http://assclownbrewery.com/Official_Ass_Clown_Brewery_Site.html ?
robincoyle said:
You are soooooooo in!
Carrie Rubin said:
We have no Valentine’s Day traditions. Probably because we let the day slip by unnoticed. But that is really cool of your hubby!
robincoyle said:
He embraces his role of setting the bar high when teaching the girls how they deserve to be treated by a man.
Carrie Rubin said:
And that is a hugely important task. Kudos to him.
robincoyle said:
Guess what! I am reading Seneca again! I have time in between book group books again. Yeah!
Sent from my iPhone
Carrie Rubin said:
Nice to hear!
unfetteredbs said:
awesome indeed. (And you are lucky )
robincoyle said:
He treats us all like princesses. Smart man.
unfetteredbs said:
Lucky man and he knows it.
Vanessa-Jane Chapman said:
How great to do something different and fun like that. Cool beer in cool places could really take off big you know! Like planking. And talking dogs.
robincoyle said:
What is planking? (I’m so out of the loop.)
My husband is creative and the girls share his love of beer!
Vanessa-Jane Chapman said:
Just realised I didn’t reply to this – planking is lying face down flat with your arms by your side in unusual places and photographing it. The fad had died out a bit now, but two or three years ago it was all the thing! Type planking into Google Images for some examples! In fact, I put a photo of me planking on Twitter ages ago, hang on…right, don’t know if this link will work – https://twitter.com/VanessaJ2011/status/121138631908929536/photo/1
robincoyle said:
The link worked great. What a crazy fad! I wan’t around on social media then so I missed out on all the fun. I wonder how it got started. I think Cool Beer in Cool Places should start trending any moment now.
Jilanne Hoffmann said:
Oh, and I forgot to say that your daughters are very lucky to have such a positive male role model in their lives. It makes for very strong women.
robincoyle said:
You are sweet to say that. He has set the bar high for the girls when it comes to men.
Jilanne Hoffmann said:
I hope you still get the Valentine’s breakfast even though the chicks have left the nest. Either that, or some cool beer in a cool place!
robincoyle said:
I get eggs benedict! My favorite!
amphomma said:
It all sounds like fun!
robincoyle said:
It is a crack up. Can’t wait to see this year’s entries.
Cathy Ulrich said:
Loved this, Robin! The cool beer in cool places contest sounds awesome. Do you get a special breakfast on Valentine’s day now that the girls are scattered in three states?
robincoyle said:
They always got heart-shaped pancakes, I got eggs benedict. Still do! My favorite!
Cathy Ulrich said:
Awesome! You deserve your favorite on Valentine’s. Like your hubby, breakfast is Peter’s specialty. We’ve been skiing in Steamboat this week and he has made me a great breakfast sandwich every day.
robincoyle said:
Then he is a very good man as well!
How are the ski conditions? Do you have much snow?
Cathy Ulrich said:
Tons! It has snowed 24 inches in the past week. Powder galore!
robincoyle said:
Awesome!
jmmcdowell said:
My folks never did anything like that! And I think the new tradition is a fun one and just as good as those heart-shaped pancakes!
robincoyle said:
My folks didn’t do anything like this either. I don’t remember even getting a card. My husband is creative this way and the girls dig it!
Mrs. P said:
What an awesome dad!
robincoyle said:
He is a good guy. And loves his girls!
Kitt Crescendo said:
How cool!
robincoyle said:
The girls love it. My husband loves it. They love beer!
Kitt Crescendo said:
Then that’s a contest made in heaven! 🙂
robincoyle said:
Ha! Beer heaven!