We've all been there when you've just started dating someone and its fairly close to a holiday and you feel pressed to get a present for your new person.  Christmas, Halloween, Easter etc, all of those are easy.  But being a new relationship or worse 'an undefined relationship', the choices you make at Valentines Day can alter the course of the whole relationship.  If you dont do enough you'll never hear the end of it but if you do too much, that could lead to a lot of trying to top that forever from now. My husband had a song made for me a few years ago for VD and it was the most romantic beautiful gesture I've ever experienced.  And we both know neither of us can ever top that gift:)  Early stages should look for 'get to know you' gifts like cute board games, middle stages you're growing your love together, so thinking couples massage, fully committed people should be looking at deeply personal gifts thinking ring proposals etc.   Choose wisely my friends, and this gift guide from NYP https://nymag.com/strategist/article/valentines-day-gifts-every-relationship-stage.html Check my Food Blog for all the best places to eat around FW too!

The relationship between the parents and teachers is a delicate balance.  You both see 2 different versions of your child.  Sometimes they line up and some times they do not.  Communication is definitely the key.  I prefer email and I know that's an unpopular opinion but I feel like I come across aggressive more in my in person speaking than when I have an email conversation.  I wish I had done a lot of things differently when my kids were in school in regards to how active I had been in their education and also in their social lives and especially with the teachers.  I never realized the value in it for the kids until I started seeing more and more kids go through high school with my husband teacher.  I get it now for sure.  I see the value.  It keeps you involved but also it shows your child that you care.  Here are some great communications tips for talking to your childs teacher. https://www.scholastic.com/site/pam-allyn/5-easy-to-steps-to-great-communication-with-your-child-s-teacher.html 

There is a lot of dating happening around me and it all makes sense.  If you're around my age you have grownish kids and have been married probably around 20 years.  I have said for years and years that when kids graduate high school parents either get a divorce or the marriage thrives.  If you're on the divorce ledge its probably because you were only still kicking it together for the sake of the kids.  I see that a lot actually.  Or I also see couples who start living their best lives when the kids leave the home.  They've attended every game and event and neglected tons of romantic getaways for travel ball weekends and now, it's mom and dads turn to have all the fun.  Divorce is not a failure and I hope you don't see it that way.  We as humans continue to grow and change so much through the circle of life that your partner when you are 23 is maybe not the same partner you're looking for at 43.  I would rather read about your divorce in the newspaper than for you to cry yourself to sleep every nite because you are in a loveless marriage.  I love you and you're worth so much!  You could have the life you've always dreamed for yourself just like these bad asses https://www.yourtango.com/self/steps-women-grow-someone-better-after-divorce

I have often wondered what kids are like 5 yrs after we first met covid.  My husband is a teacher, but he's a music teacher and that is a different group of kids all together, so he isn't much help when I ask him.  I had suspected that there would be some big changes but I didn't clock the amount of egregious actions towards teachers.  Here are some teachers from all over talking about what they're experiencing. https://www.buzzfeed.com/abbyzinman/teachers-reveal-covid-kid-differences

Norah O'Donnell is leaving CBS Evening News and I am really having a hard time with it.  Norah has been there for everything monumental over the last few years.  And I trust her.  I like her familiar face, I like her calm voice.  Media is changing so much and its faces are too.  Hota Kotb is also leaving her place CBS although I miss her a lot less.  Hota and I were on the air at basically the same time, so I didn't get my news from her. So that one doesnt sting as bad. It's a tough business and only getting tougher as our options for consuming news are only growing. You do begin to form those relationships with news people.  With good news people anyway.  That's the goal, to feel safe and connected and so you'll tune into that particular station or another and personality is a major part of it for me.  If I don't like the news presenter I am not sticking around.  Same goes for radio too.  It's my time and I'm not giving it to someone I don't dig.  But Norah, I dig Norah! I will miss getting her nightly news casts, but as long as they replace her slot with Colin Jost and he only delivers like the SNL Weekend Update.  I would definitely tune into that.  I wish Norah O'Donnell well and I hope she pops up somewhere else.  *except FOX. no. i am not doing that. 

Do you ever look back at old fb memories and absolutely cringe? Most days I do. Early 2000's angie was a whole nother person.  Today on-this-day in 2011 I wrote a status about date nite not being for sneakers and tshirt.  Early 2000's angie was also very judgey apparently.  But I still agree with her.  Date nite is for dressing up for your man.  Makeup, put a coat of polish on your nails, match up your panties and bra and for goodness sakes, don't put on the same thing you've ever worn to the supermarket.  That's your date nite barometer.  Would I wear this look to the grocery?  If the answer is yes, then it is definitely not dinner date apparel.  Remember when you used to get dressed for your first few dates together?  All the things to get ready.  Hours you prepped.  Let's still do that!  Your man will love it.  He will like how you physically look and  he will love that you put that effort into it.  Trust me.  I have a ton of sensory issues so it must be comfy for me too.  I can not stand to be uncomfortable.  I once left work for half a sick day because I didn't like the way my skirt felt.  Don't forget the perfume, don't forget to use lotion and derl love, please do not forget the shapewear!  I love this one, it's incredibly comfy, it's all in one and it comes right to your door! https://amzn.to/3EcEOUs 

This is a new term to me, have you heard of it?  A sandwich mom is a mother who is part of the "sandwich generation," which refers to people who care for both their children and their aging parents.  Sandwich moms are often in their late 30s to 50s and probably provide financial, physical, or emotional care for their children and their parents.  It's an entirely different ball game, because as your're running your child to ballgames and dr appointments and every other place they need you to drive them to, now its doubled because you are also now driving your parent to bingo, doctors appointments and every other place they also need you to drive them to.  I know for sure that you need a great support system.  Ask your friends.  Do not be embarrassed to ask if and how they're caring for both their children and also caring for their parents.  Get together and share resources and you can start right here https://cafemom.com/parenting/sandwich-moms-survival-guide  

It took me a long long time to find love.  I didn't have healthy relationships to look at growing up.  So I was just winging it.  Thank God I landed my husband.  He is perfect for me and I hope he keeps me forever.  I want you to have that!  I never had the chance to use dating apps.  I wasn't part of that world, but I think its genius.  Let's get you loved up before Valentine's day.  Here are the best dating apps for 2025 https://parade.com/1061437/stephanieosmanski/best-online-dating-apps/   This photo is the very first public photo we posted, we are just babies!

My children are grown so I don't have a dog in this fight except that I have been on both sides of this coin.  So let me set the scene for  you, you're out to dinner with your partner who you haven't had a night out alone with in a very long time.  The 2 of you are at your favorite restaurant and the table next to yours has a screaming child.  Either a baby, or a toddler or a teen just skibbiding so much you can't take another minute.  Whoever is making your night miserable is not your problem.  You probably don't know these people and will probably never see them again.  Switch tables.  It's ok, I promise you.  Everyone has the right to enjoy their own experience in their own way and if I'm dining out and want to have a good time without your kids, I am going to ask to move tables.  It's ok to do that.  Is the other parent annoyed and probably embarrassed and already stressed to her core?  Yes, probably.  But it is still ok for you to move tables.  Do it in a respectful polite manner, even maybe send the loud table a note with a glass of wine.  The other side?  I am out to dinner and my 3 small children are with me.  They're noisy and probably a little restless but they still have every right to dine out just as you and your partner.  My children have a right to be kids, whatever that looks like-within reason obv. I am not going to stop dining out with them.  Eventually they'll grow up and someone else will be the annoying table in the restaurant. https://www.yourtango.com/self/mom-confronts-customer-moved-tables-get-away-noisy-kids

If you're over on the tiktok you've most likely seen #InstacartManFails and they do not disappoint.  But sometimes the male shoppers do disappoint.  I can not attest to this, I've had equally just terrible women and men shoppers, however, none of them have been bad enough to make me go back to shopping in the supermarket myself.  That being said, my absolute worst delivery order happened when I requested Super Plus tampons and the shopper man said they were out and substituted with Light Flow before I could even respond! Other than that I typically have no complaints.  And like I said before, it beats going to the store myself.  I have a.d.d and anxiety and have for a very long time, long before it was the cool thing, and going to the store was always an absolute traumatic affair so when grocery delivery and even drive up orders came on the scene which is an absolute game changer.  Enjoy this sweet little list of fails https://www.huffpost.com/entry/male-instacart-shoppers-bad-reputation_l_66e4a9f5e4b03e3cc10034fe 

Sports rivalries can continue for decades and generations and spans through all the eras of your life.  When you're a fan, you're a fan for life.  Nothing can change your opinion.  Hello Deflate Gate, Tiger Woods Trysts and somehow even OJ Simpson still has fans. Your fandom runs deep.  But what happens when your family doesn't root for the same team as your new boyfriend?  Now you're living in a house divided and the walls are crumbling down!  I suggest fun rivalries and challenges like if my team wins my husband has to take the dogs outside potty and if my husband team wins..... come on, you already know. If you too are living in a house divided read this before the next playoff game. https://oregonsportsnews.com/living-in-a-house-divided-%F0%9F%8F%89%F0%9F%98%A1%F0%9F%8F%88-the-science-of-sports-fandom-%F0%9F%93%88%F0%9F%8F%85/ 

So what is a Trad Wife and is it for you?  Here goes and tie your apron straps tight because this is a wild ride.  A tradwife (a neologism for traditional wife or traditional housewife) is a woman who believes in and practices traditional gender roles and marriages. Some may choose to take a homemaking role within their marriage, and others leave their careers to focus on meeting their family's needs in the home. It is me. I am some. Kind of, let me explain.  I would love to have been a trad wife.  It all looked so wonderful and simple and fun and well dressed.  Waking up before the fam and seeing them at breakfast, wishing each other good luck with whatever the day held.  And then I would get myself ready including full glam and an A Line dress.  Then I would meet up with the neighbor lady for like coffee or an earl gray or maybe a gin martini, that could be fluid. (definite pun intended).  After we've spilled all the tea on our kids and husbands and other neighbors we would each go inside and tidy around the house and then make dinner. Everyone would help clear the table but I would clean the dishes/kitchen etc. while they watch tv or do homework.  And then, and this is by far the biggest dream, I would take my makeup off every single night and moisturize and wear really great lingerie instead of the pink heart thermals I wear nightly now.  We all go to sleep and it all starts over the next day.  And that's it.  That is the trad wife life for me. It goes against everything our parents fought for, it goes against everything we see on tv currently, but I am telling you when I was growing up literally all I ever wanted to be was someones wife.  OK, but here's the switch.  Life is messy and weird and I didn't get married until later so no, I did not get to be atrad wife.  But also, yes I did.  And here's why, I work in radio and it's completely flexible.  I am married to a teacher/musician/band director and he is busy all the time.  He is a busy working man. So I try my best to be a soft place to land at home.  I do all the trad wife stuff.  Except cleaning. I absolutely can not. NO.  I have a lady who does it now so there aint no chance I am ever going to do that, but everything else I do.  Tidy, look cute when he gets home, cook as much as I can and show him so much respect. He is the man. He is my man. Someone once described me as climbing on the roof nailing that glass ceiling right back down.  That's a bit dramatic, but I was made to be someones wife and I love a trad wife life although I do work.  I work from home and I manage to do it all. And I absolutely have to work TOO.  In addition to being Aarons wife I also am creative, have a.d.d and love to have fun so I absolutely have to have a more creative outlet than housework and that is why I continue to work so much because I get bored too easily.  Pinterest gets hours of my day trying to find perfect meals for perfect days of the week.  It's homecoming week at school? We're having a chilli cookoff in the kitchen! (but its really just a pot of chilli with some fun school decor) It works for us.  My husband is traditional and from a stable normal family so I have a bit of a road map.  Being a wife is dope and he love it here!   If you're interested, check out my favorite go to guide! https://www.amazon.com/Decadent-Housewife-Flirty-Secrets-Wrapped/dp/1606522523 

When my husband and I got married it was a very small private event.  We told our families and few friends that we were going to the beach in a month to get married and it would be so fun if anyone who wanted to come could.  All told we had I believe 16ish people.  And we did just that.  We went to the beach and got married. *it wasn't without its flaws because it was an absolute chaotic adventure ON the actual wedding day, but I'll tell you about that later.  We started the day with our friends at the beach and then we went to our hotel and we got ready together and we walked down to meet our friends at the beach and here we are 5.5 married years later.  Why did I tell you this (half) wedding story?  Because I just learned that your marriage is better protected if you have a small wedding.  A vast majority of couples find they can't work together while planning a wedding and it becomes more and more toxic as the planning goes on.  Not all the time, I am sure there are lots of happy couples who had massive extravagant weddings.  The day is beautiful and we as girls dream of our weddings our entire lives. We have planned every single chiffon detail.  But do you know how expensive real life is?  The Knot, one of the best in the wedding biz, tells me that the average cost of a wedding in the United States is around $30,000. Your marriage is what is important.  The commitment between you and your partner.  That's what matters.  Having a big and grand and amazing wedding is an absolute dream and I hope that for you, but if you're thinking realistically about money, $30,000 could pay for at least a few Disney vacations, or a car, or a house or that boob job you've been wanting.  https://www.yourtango.com/love/couples-avoid-popular-event-have-happier-marriages 

Have you ever heard of the 5 Love Languages?  Its how you communicate and more importantly how others can communicate with you. The 5 love languages were first introduced to us by Gary Chapman in 1992 as the ways in which people receive and express love in a relationship.  By identifying your love language you're designing a guide for how to communicate and ultimately how to love you. 

All relationships are really strained during the holiday season but it's how you come back from it or even how you handle it in the moment that really makes the difference.  Your home life is your number one relationship.  It is your most authentic and honest and fragile relationship.  Protect it.  Value it. And do not let it get pushed to the side.  Make that your number 1 priority this year.  The love you build inside your own home will then be spread and show everywhere else in all your other relationships.  Here are some tools to guarantee you and your partner have the best 2025 ever!  https://www.yourtango.com/love/best-investments-make-marriage-beat-divorce   

Are you getting enough sleep? I know instinctually you're going to say no, never. But it's only because society tells you to work work work. I am here to tell you to rest rest rest.  Have you ever had a gut wrenching no coming back from it fight with someone you love because you were tired or hungry?  I am willing to be you have.  Being tired is the root of so many problems you might be having.  Get more sleep. It's ok to take a nap.  I don't know why in America we are so rude to the nap culture.  I've seen siesta in action and its amazing.  I was 16 or 17 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and when everything shut down in the afternoon.  Everything! Restaurants, shopping, all of it.  And that's when I learned about 'siesta'. The beautiful art of taking a break/nap/rest every afternoon.  It's straight up magical.  Unless it's lunchtime and you're  just trying to get a taco because you're 17 and hungover on spring break in Mexico.  But that's another story for another day.  Take a nap.  The average sleep number for adults is 8 hours.  Listen, there is no shame in my 9 hour sleep sessions.  I believe in power restoring beauty of a nap.  They don't call it beauty rest for nothing!  I like to listen to a relaxation podcast, like a sleep story at nite.  I told my husband that I had been listening to a sleep story about a Christmas Party and it was so good but I kept falling asleep...he said, 'isnt that the point?'  Here are some of the best hacks to help you fall asleep.  Good nite, I love you! https://www.buzzfeed.com/elizabethlilly/products-anyone-trouble-falling-asleep I am very interested in trying out #6.