Today, let me share our first Valentine's Day memory.
An entire week before the big day, Bill would read florist's marquees, "$59.99 for a dozen roses. Wow! $39.99. I'm going to buy you a dozen red roses."
"No, a dozen roses would not make me happy."
"How about half a dozen?"
"No. Please, no roses. It's crazy to spend that kind of money. I'm way too practical."
"How about one rose? I can even get it from 7-11 if it's about money." He's always been my funny honey.
"Cut flowers do not make me happy. They remind me of withering relationships, sad endings, not happy beginnings. Please do not buy roses. They will die."
We had been invited to a Valentine's Day dance with a group of friends. He knew how much I wanted to go, but he had to work second shift. I'd see him at midnight. He said we'd go dancing on the weekend. As a utility company shift worker he had missed so many of his own family's functions over the years, and I knew how it saddened him. "I'll make it up to you," he promised. "Roses?"
"NO! I mean it."
I walked into the house after work, dreading the bouquet of roses I thought I'd find. But what I discovered on the counter made me laugh out loud.
On top of the pile of mail instead, was this 8 inch long post card advertisement from a well known local florist.
When I read Bill's inscription, my heart pitter-pattered. The chocolate-covered strawberries lasted two days.
This one, long-stemmed, red rose has been hanging on the side of our fridge for more than twenty years. It is a simple, thoughtful memento that I will always treasure, and like my funny honey, it makes me smile every day.
16 comments:
Most men don't get it. It's the thought, the gesture, the sentiment--not the flowers or the candy.
A couple of years ago, my husband got me a ring. I cried over the card and the intention; he could have gotten away without getting me the ring, and I would have still been just as moved.
I hope you have a wonderful celebration with Bill. Funny ones get me every time...
Hi Linda,
What a sweet gesture from Bill.
Happy St. Valentine's Day to you both!
Donna
What a nice tale to remind us of the real "sweetness" of this holiday. Hope you have another great Valentine's to add to your memory box.
How sweet! Roses do wither and fade too quickly. When he gets me flowers, he usually gets carnations or other flowers, they last so much longer. I am happy with just a card,they keep forever.
My daughter-in-law works for a florist and V/D brings in a lot of their income - but - I understand about dying flowers. Would they be as beautiful, though, if they didn't die? Hmmm. Happy Valentine's Day!
What a beautiful story! He managed to get you roses that would last. I'm like you, I'm too practical to spend so much on flowers. But I always pick the ones from outside and bring them in to enjoy.
May you and Bill be blessed with many more happy years together!
Laughter is essential:-)
Hi Linda....Sweet post. Bill. What a guy. Love that rose "ad."
Part of the joy of Valentine's Day for me, and of every day, for that matter, is connecting with fellow bloggers----like YOU! Love, Susan
Happy Anniversary! Sentiment without flowers works for me...but chocolate never hurts, either.
That is sooooo sweet! I hope your day is filled with even more sweetness!
Wow, this is amazingly sweet. Happy Valenine!
Very, very sweet. And Happy Anniversary to you two lovebirds!
So a rose, by any other name, would still taste like chocolate-covered strawberries?
How sweet! Happy anniversary, Linda!
Pat
Critter Alley
Yep, very sweet.
He's a keeper!! And as you've pointed out before, he and The Ronald have the same kind of sense of humor! Happy Belated!!
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