Navigating Valentine’s Day when you’ve been widowed young

February 2026

Valentine’s Day can be tough when you’ve been widowed or lost your life partner. Some of WAY Widowed and Young’s members have shared tips on how they have coped with this difficult date.

♦

Nikki

“This will be the third Valentine’s Day without my husband. We never made a big deal of it, but we did buy cards and I’ve continued to do that. I display it initially and then put it in my memory box. My daughters and I make cards for each other and we turn it into a day of love for each other. I also send myself flowers and buy some chocolates or something.”

♦

Jane 

“I have bought cards made from paper containing seeds for Valentine’s Day and my husband’s birthday. The idea is that they can be planted afterwards and flowers will grow from the cards I cannot give him.”

♦

Charlotte

“I am going to buy a card like I always would and write everything I’d like to say to him in it. For my own sake, I am also going to go for a coffee or lunch somewhere with a friend so I have something to look forward to on that date, even though it’ll be difficult.”

♦

Anna-Maria

“We didn’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day but we did get each other a card. I noticed the other day shopping, it’s funny my heart just doesn’t go there anymore. It’s like a look at the cards and think this isn’t part of my life anymore, a little stab and then I move onto the next aisle. So sad really. So much has been taken off us, it’s just one of a thousand things that I no longer have.”

♦

Claire

“Big hugs to those who are struggling with Valentine’s Day approaching and the relentless hearts all around us. This will be my third without Matt and it thankfully doesn’t hit me too hard these days. Keep going, it’ll soon be over.”

♦

Dawn

"For many widows, Valentine's Day (and the build up) will be tough. The emphasis on love and partnership can be painful and often amplifies the loss. However... Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday this year so there is a little light. Parkrun is a weekly 5k event held at various locations all over the world. It's an inclusive event and, despite the name, welcomes people to join for a run or walk. Attending can have so many benefits both physically and mentally.

- Be out in the fresh air

- Meet others

- Cover 5k as fast or slow as you wish

- Volunteer opportunities should you wish to get involved

- Free so can do as many or few as you like.

This year. a Valentine's Day WAY meet up has been arranged at a local Parkrun in Nottinghamshire. It will be great to join others from both the Parkrun community and WAY community and start the Saturday off on a positive foot."

Here are some other tips from young widowed people who are part of WAY’s peer support network:

“We light a candle and I give some Valentine’s chocolates for our sons.”

“We can still remember and celebrate the love we shared in other ways by connecting with our partner on the day – in whatever way feels right for us.”

“Take each day as it comes. Bad day, good day, indifferent day – just try your best to ride the waves. Never feel guilty about your feelings and let your feelings flow.”

“I decided last year to celebrate the love of friendship so my friend and I went out to dinner and to a show. In future years I’d love to get a group of friends together and go out for dinner rather than it all be couples.”

“Love isn’t just about couples and over the years I’ve celebrated with my daughter. We might have a little pamper evening. I think self-love is equally as important, especially when you no longer have that someone there to spoil. Spoil yourself!”