Leighton Meester says Valentine’s Day has taken on a deeper meaning for her as a parent.
In a recent interview, Meester reflected on how the holidays now feel more inclusive and less stressful than when she was growing up.
The Gossip Girl star shared that celebrations for her children, whom she shares with husband Adam Brody, now focus more on community and fun than romantic pressure.
She also described school traditions where each child exchanged cards, calling this a positive shift from the 1990s, when the holiday often revolved around the hope of attention from a specific crush.
The couple first met while working on the film The Oranges and publicly confirmed their relationship in 2013 before marrying in 2014. They welcomed their daughter in 2015 and later had a son in 2020.
Now that she’s been married for more than a decade, Meester says her views on love and Valentine’s Day have matured. She explained that long-term relationships bring a quieter, more layered meaning to the holiday, especially since her wedding anniversary is almost February 14.
In addition to romance, Meester says that love shows up differently in all relationships: with children, partners, friends and family. She called it central to life itself.
