Keeping It Real

WRITTEN BY BLAIR FJESETH

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love—and in our house it is evinced in pink hearts, lots of candy and crafts strewn about the kitchen as we work on Valentine’s boxes. But as a parent and Montanan, I also see Valentine’s Day as a chance to reflect on the deeper, quieter ways love sustains us.

At its core, love is what builds the "parenting village." It’s the parents on the sidelines of the soccer field, cheering for kids they’ve never met. It’s the teacher who stays late to help a struggling student or the neighbor who shovels the driveway of the single mom next door without being asked. Raising children isn’t just the work of families—it’s the work of our communities.

My children attend a school where a significant number of families face homelessness (sadly, this is too common throughout this state), which is just a stark reminder that while for some, Valentine’s Day isn’t about roses or chocolates, it’s about surviving another harsh winter. Yet, the love in this community is unmistakable. It’s in the warmth of donated coats, the backpacks filled with food for the weekend and the teachers who treat every child like they’re their own.

This kind of love is practical, fierce and unyielding. It shows up not for recognition but because that’s who we are.

Montana has a unique way of showcasing love—not just in the sweeping beauty of our mountains or the endless sky, but in the people who live here. We don’t just say we care; we act on it. We bring meals to new parents, organize drives for those in need and rally around each other during hard times.

Valentine’s Day reminds me that love isn’t just about the people closest to us. It’s how we show up for our neighbors, our children’s classmates and even strangers. It’s a reflection of who we are as a community.

So, this Valentine’s Day, my family will do something small but significant. Maybe we’ll bake cookies for a local shelter or write thank you notes to those who make our village stronger. We’ll remind our kids that love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. And when love becomes action, it transforms a group of people into a community—a place we’re proud to call home.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Montana.

Blair Fjeseth is a working professional and proud Montana mom. You can reach her at blairparker.inc@gmail.com.