Now that Valentine’s Day is behind us, I feel like I can say this without causing a family meeting.

Valentine’s Day has always been my holiday to dote on my family. Not in the dramatic, rose-petal, rom-com way — but in the way that makes sense for us.

This year included teenage boys, which means the details will remain private for everyone’s well-being. But I will say this: they sucked it up and dealt with me. And whether they want to admit it or not, we had fun as a family.

There were eye rolls. There were complaints.

There was laughter, which, honestly, is kind of our sweet spot.

My boys and my husband are not huge on romance, but every year they still show up with the classics — flowers and a box of chocolates. And every year, I smile when they hand it to me.

And then — if I’m being honest — I smile again when they open the box and immediately start complaining.

Because they know what’s coming.

If you’ve ever opened a box of assorted chocolates, you know it usually comes with a little map telling you what’s what. That thing gets tossed in the trash almost immediately in our house. Who needs an extra layer of paper anyway to get what’s good? The chocolate. Yum.

And yes, I am the person who takes a bite of a chocolate… and puts the rest back.

I can already hear some of you reacting.

That’s gross. That’s not okay. What if someone else wanted that one?

Here’s my perspective: you bought me the box. It’s mine. And not going to lie — there is a tiny grin on my face when they groan and realize I’ve done it again. I know, that sounds a tinge evil, and it may be a little.

After all, this is not about self-control. I am not practicing restraint.

But what it is about is sampling. I am curious.

Is this caramel? Coconut? Some sort of sneaky cherry situation?

I don’t know yet, and I’m not ready to commit. It’s also fun to take a stab at what you believe to be hidden underneath that chocolate coating.

Testing your skill as a lifetime chocolate eater to see if you’ve picked up on their tricks, their patterns.

And with how decisive we’re expected to be in the world — constantly choosing, answering, committing — it’s kind of nice not to be in that moment. I can say yes… and then never mind.

I can take a bite, change my mind, try another, or save the rest for later.

And that freedom? It’s great.

In a world where so much of who we are is shared — our thoughts, our opinions, our lives — it’s kind of nice to have something that’s just yours. No explanation. No rules. No obligation to finish.

So here’s what I hope for you: I hope everyone gets a box of chocolates. I hope you take a bite. And I hope you feel free in that moment — to put it back, eat the whole thing, try another or save it for later.

And don’t save those boxes for one day a year. Chocolate is not reserved for Valentine’s Day.

It’s for random Tuesdays. Hard weeks. Small wins. Quiet moments.

Also — let’s be honest — we have some great chocolatiers in our area, which means this is also a very good excuse to support local merchants.

So don’t judge. Grab a box. Take a bite. And do whatever you want with the rest.

Me to you.

Mother, author, entrepreneur and founder of Dandelion-Inc, Lisa Resnick wants to hear your story. Share memories with her by emailing lisa@dandelion-inc.com.