One family's sweet annual Valentine's Day ritual

Heart-shaped box of chocolate candies, a common gift for Valentine’s Day. — TNS

My dad gave my mum a beautiful heart-shaped box of candy every year on Valentine’s Day. Big red and pink boxes with swirls of lace and wide satin ribbons.

The beautiful boxes were mesmerising. I drooled over them. Literally. Chocolate mint truffles, caramels and raspberry-filled. The small candies tucked beneath the quilted paper liner were a beauty to behold.