I just read a friend’s blog post describing her back and forth with Valentine’s Day. Commercial, jaded and grown-up v. romantic, inspired and whimsical. Most of us experience a little of both. I love having fresh flowers in the house but flinch when presented with a florist’s bouquet on Valentine’s Day as I know the cost, while equal to the sentiment, was inflated. Especially with roses. So, while my male readers may be small in number, I offer some advice.
Choose another flower, one that can be purchased reasonably, sometimes at the market, and make your words your gift. It is often tricky to say something sappy aloud, especially if your relationship has progressed pass the first bloom. It is much easier to write.
Tell her she is as feminine and complex as French anemones. (Let me stress complex. Don’t get muddled and say complicated as this will surely start a row.)
Tell her your heart bursts with the joy of lilies each time she enters a room.
Tell her she is as elegant and fresh as the day you married her with an all-white bouquet as a reminder of her bridal gown whether you saw it sixteen years ago or sixteen months ago.
Tell her the bend in the stem of the tulip reminds you of the curve of her neck as she leans over the crib.
Or take her a fistful of color wrapped in ribbon and tell her how happy you are that you are bound together. The flowers will enchant her in the short term; the note, which surely if she is a woman worth having, she will keep forever. And every time she finds it tucked in a drawer she will feel the blush of this Valentine’s Day all over again.
You might even get lucky.
Images from top: roses, unknown, but I think House Beautiful, French anemones – which are not inexpensive, I don’t think, but beyond beyond- Vogue, lilies and Todd Romano Elle Decor June-July 2001. Photo by Pieter Estersohn, white bouquet, hmmm..no idea, tulips, unidentified H&G, tulips, again, Southern Accents some time ago. Clearly, my entertaining file could use some due diligence. This last arrangement I have used again and again in a tea caddy with both colorful flowers and all white. Pretty, and pretty easy.
Such good advice. I had a terrible go-round with a huge florist arrangement recently – dead in no time. Honestly, the supermarket has the same or better flowers now in many cases and I love to arrange them. Or a plant… my whole Blushing Kingdom for an orchid these days… you know?
Eloquently put! A simple gift says so much. And the dividends! I love your sense of humor.
Happy Valentine’s Day~
So perfect. I have been telling my husband this for years, but never so eloquently. Thank you.
we were just chatting about flowers, my favorite red valentine flower is the “ranunculas” hope I spelled that correctly, not that anyone is looking.
pve
Blushing – I do know! That is just what you need to ride out the end of your pregnancy. You will let us know when that bundle arrives, I hope.
Debra and Hill – thanks so much. Patricia – that is nearly always the problem, no one looking. But say mine does, he’ll still get less credit as I say, “It was on my blog!”
what a super wonderful mother in-law you will make someday in the ( far-away ) future.
i know, i loved my mother in law very much. the worst part of my divorce was ( the thought of ) the loss of my husbands family.
i remain extremely close to them however.
your sons are blessed to have you.
quite the kind & sensitive men you will help them become.
xx OO happy V DAY
Mrs. B,
The images of nature and skill you provided for us is waaay better than the Costco bouquet that I usually receive (sorry Costco, you know I love you). And I don’t have to empty
stinky water on Monday.
PS I love my husband with or without flowers.
Lovely post – so thoughtful.
Have a wonderful weekend – you deserve it
I think Mr. EEE will be receiving this in his email basket very shortly…. 🙂 EEE
We have the same taste in flowers. Any genre of tulips and like Patricia at PVE , ranunculas are a favorite, I printed the 365 Daily Words from the Heart from the ladies at Stuff, very inspirational!
Very funny. Hope your advice was followed.