I posted this on the same day three years ago. I am pretty level-headed, not one for sap, but I do love Valentine’s Day. It allows us to gush, encourages us to romance and ensures we need not make excuses for sentiment.
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.
lovely ideas…wish someone advised this old boyfriend of mine
http://www.jcwebbstudios.com/2012/02/you-might-be-jerk-if.html
Jennifer – sometimes they need a little coaching. My husband needed a little guidance about actually wrapping a gift. When we were first married he thought giving something in the brown UPS box was wrapping it. And, for everyone else, do click her link – worth a read.
Mrs. Blandings,
I hope my husband is one of your male readers. He did ask, "So, exactly when is Valentine's day?"
pve
So true!
Beautiful thoughts Patricia!! Anything thing he know delights you is a perfect gift and need not be expensive!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
"coaching" indeed…hope there was something good in that brown box! I once received cash for Mother's Day. Tacky as it sounds, he meant well…gave it with a purpose. But still
Hi Patricia—so true. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day tomorrow!! Mary
A big thank you for suggesting readers click the link for Jennifer C. Webb. The birthday/valentine card was hysterical.
Enjoyed your take on flowers–anything other than roses from the florist. I feel exactly the same way.
I would love that my boyfriend could read english so you would have helped him but he just speaks french …. too bad for me
Such wonderful ideas–they need to be reprinted in the sports and financial pages of every newspaper–where those who could use them will definitely see them! Linda
That was the best, very charming and heartfelt. I'm saving it in the file for the times when my adult sons call with suggestions on such matters.
Karen
I love Valentine's Day for the pink and red. I get to see a favorite color combination together for several weeks. I agree wholeheartedly about floral gifts. They can be so expensive for such a short period of enjoyment. I've asked to receive books instead!
This line took my breath away: "Tell her the bend in the stem of the tulip reminds you of the curve of her neck as she leans over the crib."
I closed my eyes and let that visual sink in. Wow. Absolutely stellar!!