Valentine’s Day Scrooge

Posted by random olio

I might be the Scrooge to your Cupid. I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. I do not believe in it. For me it has nothing to do with cupid or love or chocolates or panties. It has everything to do with having these items each and every day. Chris knows that I do not care in the least about flowers, gifts, and that the last place I want to be on Valentine’s Day is a restaurant. I do not want to pay for overproduced, overpriced food with a bunch of couples that may just be meeting for the first time or for those that are just checking a box off a list with their spouse. Flowers — check. Dinner out — check. Happy wife? Maybe.

Happy wife, happy life. This happy wife does not equate Valentine’s Day in a typical way. Valentine’s Day should be lived everyday. Love, hugs, kisses, cupid…flowers…living appreciation. Surprises (even though I suck at keeping them). Each of these things shared at random throughout the year, means living love every day. What if we all tried to extend Valentine’s Day to every day of the year? Would we all be happier and more loved? Random Acts of Kindness every day to those we love.

Whatever you are doing on Saturday this year, whether going out with your loved one, or picking up a quick box of chocolates at the drug store, or staying home and snuggling on the couch, try to love today, and tomorrow, and the next day. Do not do it just because it is Valentine’s Day. Do it next week, next month, and this summer.

How are you living love in your life? Do you only do it on Valentine’s Day? Do you expect anything in return or are you just expressing yourself from your heart? Be Cupid every damn day.

Cutting thorns off roses

Posted by random olio

I cannot remember if I was in high school or college, but over my Christmas break (which was usually a few weeks to a month) I would go home to Indiana and work in a flower shop. Now I was not a talented designer or florist, I rung up orders, cleaned the thorns off roses, unpacked flowers, made bows for poinsettias, and dusted the plants (yes plants needed dusting and spraying so they would be ready for funerals). Since I worked around Christmas time, there were quite a few individuals and families that ordered wreaths and flowers for their loved ones at cemeteries. It was an interesting time. Flowers for weddings, funerals, holiday parties, Christmas wreaths, poinsettias for offices and homes, flowers for significant others. It was fun to watch all ways that flowers were shared.

I only worked there a few Decembers, but I enjoyed my time. The couple that owned the business were interesting. The other florists had stories of their own, but I loved how the wife/florist would be able to ask questions to those purchasing flowers to somehow get them to talk. She was a quiet woman but somehow in asking what they wanted she would get a story. I would answer the phone, often FTD orders, and hear a story for why the individual was sending flowers across the country or the world. I always encouraged a card for someone to share their story, their thoughts, and feelings. What an interesting business to be in!

Today I love having fresh-cut flowers in my home. There is something luxurious about fresh-cut flowers, and while I have to be careful of which flowers I have in the house (due to Chris’ allergies) I find that many of the ones I love work out well with his nose. Fresh cut hydrangeas, calla lilies, or tulips are on the top of my list. Last week I found that all my outdoor spring flowers were coming up. A few crocuses have even bloomed. I know it is only early March, but it is so exciting to know that Spring is on its way with green stems pushing out above the soil. My large hydrangea bush has large green buds at the tips of the branches.

It is the little things right? The things we get to look forward to each day. I love remembering all those individuals I connected with over a decade ago as they selected their flowers by look, smell, or meaning. A flower can bring a smile to the face.

Valentine’s Day: Every Damn Day

Posted by random olio

Roses are red, violets are blue, I have something to say, yes, I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. Aw hell I am not a poet, I cannot write poetry, and…

…I have never been a fan of Valentine’s Day. It probably started back in younger years when our schools would do a Valentine’s Gram delivery of roses + candy, and you always wondered whether or not you would receive one, whether it was from a friend, or a boy. I have high expectations, just ask Chris. On our first Valentine’s Day (I cannot remember if it was while dating or our first married Valentine’s Day), Chris was traveling and sent me flowers. They were tulips and when I opened the box, the flowers were dead. It was not Chris’ fault, but I was livid. I remember being quite clear that he never “send” me flowers again. He has honored my request.

Why does it make me happy to not receive flowers on Valentine’s Day by my amazing husband? On that very first Valentine’s Day together, I very clearly remember discussing it with him and telling him how much I detest Hallmark holidays. I just am not a fan. Why should corporate America tell us when we should shop, spend money, and love on our loved ones? It is bullshit. EVERYDAY should be a day that we love and pamper our loved ones. It does not mean that we have to give gifts, in fact I am actually not interested in gifts. I care more about how we treat, care, and love each other every single day of the year.

So, Chris and I do not celebrate Valentine’s Day. Yes, we might make a fun dinner together, and spend time together, but we do that every night that we possibly can. Yes, call us sappy, but see I still feel like I am in my honeymoon phase. I get excited to see my husband at the end of the day, and can text him near the end of the day to ask “when can we leave so I can see you, and oh, what is for dinner.” We might not have a relationship that is like many others, and we do not yet have kids, but we are close, tight, and well-connected. There are days that I worry about what bringing kids into the mix will do to our marriage, and I know it will be different, tough, precious, and make us grow in different ways. I digress, I still completely dislike Valentine’s Day. Who wants to fight over a table at a restaurant and pay double the price for a meal just so you can say you took out your loved one on Valentine’s Day? Why not do that once a month, or week? Why not find different ways to keep that love alive regardless of it being February 14?

So I veto Valentine’s Day, instead I think every damn day is Valentine’s Day. Every day should be about doting, loving, and finding ways to make the world better for your loved one. Love them so damn much. Hug them hard, cuddle with them, and do not, I repeat, DO NOT forget to tell how them how much you love them EVERY DAMN DAY.