From the couple who is just starting their relationship to the pair that has weathered life’s ups and downs, Valentine’s Day is more than a greeting card holiday. It is a moment to remember that spark which changed a friendship into a partnership. For Zach and Julie Ertz, with some help from Russell Stover Chocolates, they share how anyone can tackle a romantic gesture.
For the past couple of years, Valentine’s Day and that big football game line up on the calendar. Going from one big food feast to the holiday that is often filled with decadent desserts and sweet treats can be a little overwhelming.
It does not mean that one celebration is tabled in order to make the other one a priority. Just like a successful relationship, life is about balance. The people who know how to communicate, and find that sweet spot, create a way to make the whole scenario a win.
Zach and Julie Ertz appreciate that their longstanding relationship is the balance between celebrating the sweet life and supporting each other. This year, the couple partnered with Russell Stover Chocolates to help everyone tackle Valentine’s Day, or even any day when that special someone needs a boost.
While anyone and everyone can enter the Russell Stover Chocolates Tackle Valentine’s Day promotion for a chance to head to the 2026 Big Game, the promotion is only one part of the annual sweet celebration. From the small token of chocolate deliciousness that ignites a spark in a new relationship to the couple who has the annual tradition of that gigantic heart gift, each story deserves its moment.
Recently, Zach and Julie Ertz graciously answered some questions for FoodSided. Below is a transcript of that conversation.
Cristine Struble: You have been together since college. How do you keep the spark going in your relationship? Do you still find ways to surprise each other?
Zach Ertz: I think the spark in the relationship is paramount. For us, when you're able to marry your best friend, it makes life easier. Just being able to have the intention to celebrate one another, whether it be Valentine's Day, taking her out for a date, maybe being able to get her a little red heart shaped box of Russell Stover's chocolates and flowers, it's the intention behind it all that is so important. The best part of keeping the spark is the intention of it.
Julie Ertz: With adding kids to the mix it’s going back to the importance of communication. It’s just small moments of acknowledgement during the season of our life is right now, especially with kids. Zach does a really good job of sending a quick text message and notes of encouragement. Having twins is no joke. Little gestures like that and he’ll bring home loaves of sourdough bread, flowers, chocolate. There are these little moments that have really been super supportive during a crazy season of our life. That communication piece of uplifting each other really does go a long way.
CS: Is your Valentine’s Day a big celebration for you, or do you keep it low key? Is there a particular tradition in your relationship?
JE: Going out to dinner is what we do, at least a dinner. We are big foodies, so we like to find the new restaurant in town. We're very low key in that way. It's a non-negotiable because we love to go out and find good food while getting alone time. Also, it is enjoyable to just go out on a walk, just us two. Finding time to be able to connect without any distraction is very important to us.
CS: What was your most memorable Valentine’s Day celebration and/or gift? Has one ever been a big miss?
ZE: I wouldn’t say we go over the top where one gift or one special occasion, it's really just for us to be able to find time to go on a date. We did long distance for so long, Valentine's Day is on the 14th, but sometimes for us it was on the 18th to celebrate one another, when our schedules didn't work out to be together on the 14th. For us the opportunity to spend time alone together is important to us. Whether it was pre kids or with three kids. Being able to go out together, get all dressed up, take her out on a nice date, maybe a little staycation here in Arizona if we can get the grandparents to watch the kids. It's really about consistency and making sure Valentines Day is celebrated.
CS: Russell Stover Chocolates is giving away a trip to Santa Clara, CA. As Stanford graduates, do you have any recommendations of places for people to visit/see during their trip?
ZE: Obviously, February for us is about two important days, Valentines Day (can't miss that), Russell Stover is a staple of my gift giving to Julie, and then the big game. When Russell Stover came to us with the opportunity to partner and send a couple on a trip to the Bay Area next year for the big game, it was something we couldn't and wouldn't pass up. You can go to http://www.russellstover.com/Valentines for a chance to win the trip out there. The Bay area has a lot of great food, our favorite is one that we always go to, a place called Zareen's (Indian food spot) there is one in Palo Alto and Mountain View. It's a non-negotiable, we don't even have to ask each other, for the first night if we go out, we just know what we're going to go. We're getting some butter chicken, some rice and naan. That is our spot.
CS: Sometimes work, busy schedules, and other commitments can make finding quality time together difficult, what is your advice for couples on how to tackle finding those moments to connect?
JE: I think just figuring out what works for you. After we put all the kids down, we will connect after and have an hour of just being able to have time together and connect. I think it's different for the couple and depends on what you need. That has really worked for us to be able to set aside that time and also set a date night ahead of time. Then we can look forward to something as well, which is great to be able to have not distracted and those conversations and time to talk about important things and reconnect.
CS: Since you both are professional athletes, does your competitive side help your relationship? Is there a benefit to having that mutual understanding of what it means to be a professional athlete?
ZE: We are both very competitive people and it propelled us to be in love with a sport we were able to be with for a long time. Every struggle, adversity and achievements that I have gone through – Julie has done the same thing. When you are going through a tough time you need a voice of reason. As an athlete you are so pigeon holed and you only see things from your own perspective, so it's good to have an athlete who has gone through a similar situation and can tell you with grace and love and even some hard love that “I think you need to look at this situation with a different perspective.” I can confidently say, that we wouldn't have reached the levels we have in our careers without the other person always being there, building us up. When we met, I didn't know she played soccer and she didn't know I played football. Our relationship was built pre athletic achievements. We truly care about each other as people first, the sports career is well down the list of things I love about Julie. Obviously, she was extremely talented when she was playing soccer. For us since we were playing for so long it really carried over when we became parents, it was the constant support of one another.
JE: Yeah, and the built-in workout partner.
Whether your special someone is a built-in workout partner, a best friend, or the person who makes your heart full, take a moment on Valentine’s Day as well as every 14th of the month to tell them how full they make your life. Russell Stover Chocolates can be the sweet way to express that heartfelt connection all year long.