THERE’S something about pretty, colorful blooms. They have some sort of power to brighten up someone’s day. My social media accounts were recently inundated with flower pics because of Valentine’s Day. Giving a woman a bouquet is, after all, the standard romantic gesture that men utilize to woo the girl of their dreams.
Some say that Valentine’s is a mere Hallmark holiday used as marketing ploy to make more money. It is the commercialized version of love. But I tend to view the naysayers as a grinch. February 14 is still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine. And on top of that, there is simply no reason to rain on other people’s parade if they choose to celebrate hearts day with flair and style.
There’s simply nothing wrong in riding with the flow on V-day and going all out for a person you love. So what if it is a Hallmark holiday? It is still a feel good one that makes people giddy because it is full of hearts and happiness. Love is in the air! I dare make a sweeping generalization that everyone likes to be remembered, to feel special, and to be loved. Love is essentially like a flower that needs to be nurtured in order to bloom. Thanks to February 14 for reminding us of that.
The art of sending flowers has historical roots that started during the Victorian era (1837-1901). A whole romantic language developed around the giving and receiving of flowers. Everything from the type, size of the flower, or the way it was presented conveyed layers of meaning for a lady to interpret. Flowers communicated a gentleman’s feelings and intentions. And to this day, the tradition of giving flowers lives on.
Honestly, I was resigned not get any flowers or anything material for that matter for Valentine’s because my husband is still recovering from his near fatal accident. And in general, he is not a flowers kind of man. The fact that he is alive is the greatest gift already, so I dared not ask for more. But to my surprise, I received two.
One was specially delivered by a friend on V-day itself. She made my day super special because she caught me unaware. I was surprised when she dropped by while I was watching my son at taekwondo to give me a pink rose bouquet and a heart shaped cake. She told me later on that she felt the melancholy in my heart. Silence can at times be the deeper form of “conversation” between friends. Never needing to say anything and yet hearing the message crystal clear. May we all have this kind of love in our lives.
The other bloom given to me is a forever rose in a velvet box coming from a long-time acquaintance in Instagram: @dflowersboutique. She has the same Facebook page name to showcase all her blooms and she accepts orders, so keep her in mind for Mother’s Day or birthdays, and I promise you won’t regret it. She is actually originally from Zamboanga and has now ventured into delivering here in Cagayan de Oro.
I received my yellow bloom with her heart’s day greeting card a few days before Valentine’s Day. It was gloomy, cloudy, and drizzly the entire time. Something was going on in my life, too, and I prayed to God for a sign. Shortly after, this delivery van pulls up, rings the bell, and hands me this box. God sent me my sign and a literal sunshine in the form of this preserved yellow rose. How truly blessed I am!
Some people view flowers with great hesitation because they dislike spending money on things that shall wither and die after just a few days. They view it as not getting their money’s worth. But with these preserved type of blooms, the flowers have a chance to last for years. It is a good token and remembrance that can be displayed and its beauty would surely make anyone smile.
I think we'd all agree that flowers are the perfect go-to gift for occasions of joy and happiness. Even during moments of melancholy, flowers have the magic to make things better. Sending a bouquet to someone you love, respect, and admire makes both the giver and receiver feel-good. At times, if you cannot say it with words, then it is best to say it with flowers. Flowers are a good reminder that wherever life plants us, we need to bloom with grace and happiness.