Like most moms I think bedtime is my favorite time of the day. I really enjoy those last few snuggles and sweet well wishes before my girls head off to bed for the night. I also enjoy it because I know that it means I’ll have a few quiet moments to myself once the girls are sawing logs.

Also, like most moms, I know that the end of the day can mean endless tears and loads of drama before all of those pearly whites have been brushed and precious heads hit their pillows. We try to end the night on a good note by sharing “loves” with one another.

It’s kind of our own “Good Night John Boy,” wanna-be-Waltons-tradition that we do. Each person is assigned a different bedtime task, and we rotate a wheel on the fridge (made out of two paper plates – super high-tech, I know) and one lucky soul each night gets to “do loves.” The chosen one for the night starts with the youngest and goes to the oldest (including Aggie – our pug) and tells that person why they love him or her that day. This ritual even includes sharing a reason why you love yourself that day.

Honestly, I started this on a wish and prayer that we could build unity, self-esteem, and positive feelings for one another, but I had no idea all of the other miracles that would come from such a small nightly act. Some nights we’ve really had to stretch to find nice things to say about one another. (Shocker, I know! I’m sure this never is a problem in any other homes.)

For example, after some phenomenally bad behavior amongst siblings it has been a test to see how the girls would respond. I’m proud to say that they were able to see beyond broken objects and hurt feelings to see the good in one another. Even after a terrible taunting or bossy breakdowns I’ve seen heartfelt compliments given and received with wondrous humility.

I’ve also had to dig deep on days when I feel like I’ve done less than my best to find reasons I love myself. We’ve all been there and had our self-doubts, but when you know your three young and very impressionable daughters are looking to you as an example, you feel even more compelled than ever to search within yourself and find something loveable at your core. It’s not really about whipping up a great meal or finding something one of the kids had thought they’d lost that make you hold your head up high at the end of the day. While yes, those things are commendable, I realize that my answers are creating an image in my girls’ minds as to who I feel I am, how I view myself, what I value and what I’m striving to do with my life.

While Valentine’s Day is celebrated just one day out of the year, and it’s mostly about oversized teddy bears, balloons and cards, I try to give a part of myself and my character to my girls several times a week as I share my love with them – directly, opening, honestly and with great admiration.