Reporters early Friday noticed some new structures on the North Lawn of the White House: large hearts installed by first lady Jill Biden, which her office said are her “surprise Valentine messages to the country.”
The pink, red and white hearts modeled after “conversation hearts” contained words such as “unity,” “compassion” and “courage” and were seen throughout the backdrop journalists use for reports from the White House.
In a statement to reporters, the first lady’s office said the hearts are a reference “back to the days of sharing candy hearts between friends and family.”
“As you may know, the First Lady is known for her sense of humor, love of surprises, and celebrating traditions, especially with her family,” the statement added. “Valentine’s Day has always been one of her favorite holidays. Sending messages of healing, unity, hope and compassion, this is her Valentine to the country.”
Photos and videos early Friday showed the first lady and President Biden taking a morning stroll on the lawn with their dogs.
The president told reporters that “Valentine’s Day is a big day, Jill’s favorite day.”
When asked by reporters what inspired her to install Valentine’s hearts, Jill Biden said, “I just wanted some joy and I think just, with the pandemic, everybody’s feeling a little down, so it’s just a little joy, a little hope. That’s all.”
The president then recounted his first Valentine’s Day as vice president, saying that his wife had put a heart in each window pane of his office that said, “Joe loves Jill.”
When asked how he would “extend that love story to the American people that are so down right now,” the president responded, “Tell them there is hope. There is hope. Stay strong.”
As for the president’s Valentine’s Day gift for his wife, he pointed out the holiday is still two days away, jokingly telling reporters, “Well it’s not Valentine’s Day, I’m not telling you.”