THE POWER OF LOVE BOXES
What is a Love Box?
Years ago I was taking my wooden chest/trunk to young women’s new beginnings, my son stoped me and said “Where are you going with your love box” I asked what he was talking about, he said “you know your box that you open and you can feel all the love pouring out of it. WOW that was beautiful! After that I was determined that each of my kids should have their own love box! We went and go them. Some years we have done great at giving each other notes and other years we haven’t done as well. The importance is they have one and whether we give one a year or 10 a year the important thing is they have somewhere to collect meaningful letters from others and especially from their family. My son brought his down this week and shared how much it meant to him. He is getting ready to go on a mission and decided to look through his. Seeing notes from bishops, young men leaders, family and friends, what an amazing childhood of love and admiration. My kids have all said they are grateful they have somewhere other than keep meaningful things. We have had a few young adults live with us, when they move out we give them a box with notes. One of them shared how they were having a hard day and feeling very unloved when they looked over and saw their love box, they picked it up and read ll the notes, it reminded them that they were loved, they belonged and were enough. IT WAS AMAZING THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED FOR MY KIDS!
These are from hobby lobby, I get them when they are 50% off!! They have been great for the kids to use. Amazon has some similar ones but at full price.
These larger ones are great for when they move out or are an adult. I have a not as fancy one from hobby lobby that works great. My cute girl has a really nice one like the first one in the picture, it is such great quality that will do well as she moves and grows older.
Storage Trunk - https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Trunk-Case-Armor-XX-Large/dp/B01N2JQSD5/ref=sr_1_4?crid=18XNVJJCUNGAX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6PqBQPhzQLMOQFvQ3if0yOycf8uOth4YSfbsePEc_yu-Rm3CIgY-mZuqInJ6C5nhgsddUpkvaQQ18YEICXcsuZb4-I3v32Zz-pD0Y9jcKGzCsiVgjZIk1ot-tb-Fvc_CIw_jC6fcs8TbgtPmd5J1EfHyx1IZgTgHB9tO-kk1hXIpZuLmi-uHJdmdkjgogqB0J22KpV7xB9mxLBjjY7srVpwKlk7S1lJaIzw5Rn35CIZjh6qsSKHMcqUe0UUq0XBQGH_Afn3N8OvVbjKcAyHoczSIexG2koSDVT0fH_xe7c3FWLZUJ1-Wl2yNyWv2eNQPHHI1DPwnSZfvymCQ2PJZAXBl_IugKbF0RgYM4YEV1T8.v7Sa4Mpx1onpoy1ckUhW0yoUcAazGdDq9l-UStzNDwA&dib_tag=se&keywords=trunk%2Bcase&qid=1743309801&s=home-garden&sprefix=trunk%2Bcas%2Cgarden%2C177&sr=1-4&th=1
Hand woven trunk - https://www.potterybarn.com/products/beachcomber-trunk/
Vintage Wood Storage - https://www.amazon.com/NewCosmos-Vintage-Trunk-Storage-Capacity/dp/B0BVBWN13R/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.1ac62dee-1169-4bf4-91b9-84fe33c930b1%3Aamzn1.sym.1ac62dee-1169-4bf4-91b9-84fe33c930b1&crid=18XNVJJCUNGAX&cv_ct_cx=trunk%2Bcase&keywords=trunk%2Bcase&pd_rd_i=B0BVBWN13R&pd_rd_r=f14e0d11-e6f2-4020-9b23-185dc6f378ca&pd_rd_w=XjY6F&pd_rd_wg=AgqGQ&pf_rd_p=1ac62dee-1169-4bf4-91b9-84fe33c930b1&pf_rd_r=W62DA16M6QF2HW2P8B2T&qid=1743309801&s=home-garden&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=trunk%2Bcas%2Cgarden%2C177&sr=1-1-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1
Leather Storage Bench - https://www.potterybarn.com/products/presley-leather-storage-bench/?cm_sp=ossa-18678_new_variant
Yearly Family Note Prompts
As a family we often do them for each of our celebrations, Birthdays, Christmas, New Years, Valentines, Saint Patricks, Easter Thanksgiving and any others. Other times we have done them other times, especially if I forget. Here is a list of different prompts that might help :-). I usually pick one and we all write the same one. Sometimes kids have done some on their own.
Here is a PDF printable that has all the prompts below
Valentine’s Day (February 14) - The Gift of Love
1. One way you reflect Christ’s love in how you treat others is…
2. One moment when your love made a difference in my life was…
3. One thing about you that fills my heart with joy is…
4. One way you show love even when it’s hard is…
5. One reason I know God placed you in my life is…
6 One way your hugs make the world feel safer is… (Toddler/Baby)
7. One way your giggles brighten my day is… (Toddler/Baby)
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) - A Blessed Life
1. One way you bring God’s goodness into my life is…
2. One reason I feel lucky to have you is…
3. One way you turn ordinary moments into something special is…
4. One way you remind me to trust in God’s plan is…
5. One thing I want to pray over your life today is…
6. One way your tiny hands remind me of God’s miracles is… (Toddler/Baby)
7. One way you fill our home with happiness is… (Toddler/Baby)
Easter (March/April) - A Heart Like His
1. One Christlike quality in you that I deeply admire is…
2. One way you have helped strengthen my faith is…
3. One time your kindness reminded me of the Savior’s love was…
4. One way I see God’s grace at work in your life is…
5. One thing I pray you always remember about your worth is…
6. One way your innocence reflects God’s pure love is… (Toddler/Baby)
7. One way your excitement for life teaches me joy is… (Toddler/Baby)
Fourth of July (July 4) - Faith & Freedom
1. One way you inspire me to stand strong in my faith is…
2. One way you bring strength and courage to those around you is…
3. One reason I celebrate the gift of you today is…
4. One way you use your freedom to bless others is…
5. One scripture that makes me think of you is…
6. One founding father/founding mother you remind me of is..
Thanksgiving (November) - A Grateful Heart
1. One way you have blessed my life that I will never forget is…
2. One time your kindness made a lasting impact on me was…
3. One way you inspire me is…
4. One prayer of gratitude I have for you is…
5. One reason I know God placed you in my life is…
Christmas (December) - Light & Hope
1. One way you bring the spirit of Christ into our home is…
2. One Christmas memory with you that I will always treasure is…
3. One way your love reminds me of God’s love is…
4. One way you make this season more meaningful is…
5. One gift you give to others that can’t be wrapped is…
New Year’s (First week in January ) - Reflection & Renewal
1. One of my favorite memories with you this year is…
2. Something I am proud of you for doing this year is…
3. One way I have seen you grow spiritually this year is…
4. One prayer I have for you in the coming year is…
5. One hope or dream I have for you in this new year is…
6. One way your curiosity inspires me to embrace new beginnings is… (Toddler/Baby)
7. One way your growth this year reminds me of God’s plan is… (Toddler/Baby)
Birthday - A Life Worth Celebrating
1. One reason I am so grateful you were born is…
2. One thing I admire most about who you are becoming is…
3. One way your life has blessed mine is…
4. One God-given talent or calling I see in you is…
5. One prayer I have for your next year of life is…
6. One scripture hero you remind me of…
7. One way you fill our home with joy is… (Toddler/Baby)
8. One way your little hands and feet remind me of God’s masterpiece is… (Toddler/Baby)
Additional ONES - Growing in Grace AND CHANGE
1. One way you have helped me grow spiritually is…
2. One gift or talent God has given you that I admire is…
3. One lesson you’ve taught me that I will carry forever is…
4. One way I’ve seen you overcome challenges with faith is…
5. One way I know God has big plans for you is…
6. I really admire how smart you are in….
7. One way you bring warmth and love into my life is…
8. One time you showed me that change can be a blessing is…
9. One way you remind me to trust in God’s timing is…
10. One reason I believe you are a gift to this world is…
11. One tradition or moment with you that I treasure is…
12. One way you show courage and trust in God is…
13. One fun or silly thing about you that makes me smile is…
14. One way you help bring joy even in dark times is…
15. One time you reminded me that faith is stronger than fear was…
16. One way you bring light into the lives of others is…
17. One way your faith has shaped our family is…
18. One prayer I have for you in this season of life is…
19. One way your joy and laughter make life sweeter is…
20. One adventure or moment with you that I treasure is…
21. One way you remind me to embrace life’s blessings is…
22. One time you encouraged me to step out in faith was…
23. One way your presence makes the world a brighter place is…