Sometime on Valentine's Day, I’ll receive a gigantic bouquet of roses from my husband, Steve. I know he’ll send me flowers on Valentine’s Day - he sends them every year. Why flowers? Obviously because he thinks I'm fat.
"Why don't you ever give me candy on Valentine's Day?" I asked him.
"You told me not to! You said you didn’t want candy around because you'd eat it all!"
"Since when do you listen to what I say??” I asked. “Anyway, I've decided if I get candy this year, I'll only eat half the box."
"You mean, at a time," he said.
He knows me too well…I’m a sucker for anything sweet.
Pleasing a woman on Valentine’s Day can be tricky. Guys are stumped for ideas. That's why the airwaves are flooded with helpful ads like this one:
(Scene: two women having coffee in an espresso bar).
"Brian surprised you by proposing? The ring is perfect! How did he give it to you?"
“He hid it ..in the microwave! I almost COOKED it!” (Giggle, giggle).
“I wish I could get one of those.”
“A ring?”
“No…a husband like Brian!”
This ad has more fake sweetness than a case of Diet Coke. Besides, giving jewelry is risky business, because taste in jewelry is very personal. I’m reminded of the sign outside the plastic surgeon's office: Let Us Help You Pick Your Nose. Not me. I want to pick my own nose and my own ring -- not to mention my own nose ring.
For any guy tempted to surprise someone with jewelry on Valentine’s Day, here’s my version of a jewelry commercial:
(Scene: a man and woman are eating dinner in an upscale restaurant. Soft music plays in the background as the woman opens a velvet box).
Woman (stunned):
"You got me a diamond ring? We've only been dating for two months...are you INSANE??"
Man (startled): "But...but...you said you wanted me to give you a ring!"
Woman: "You dweeb! I was asking you to call me!"
When you think about it, Steve is a pretty smart guy. He can’t go wrong with flowers. That’s why I’m guessing that on Valentines Day the doorbell will ring, and standing on the porch will be someone selling replacement windows. But later in the day I’ll hear a knock. I’ll open the door to find a huge bouquet of roses and a romantic card.
Even after twenty years of marriage, it will give me a thrill.
As I said, I’m a sucker for anything sweet.
I want a heart shaped ice cream cake.
Posted by: Suzette Martinez Standring | February 12, 2008 at 05:07 PM
What a great blog on V-day and flowers!
I just wish Ambrosia delivered in Federal Way!
I could have done your roses (and would have snuck in an extra one or two!!!)
As for me, I never get flowers delivered so I'll look forward to seeing yours this weekend!!
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl | February 12, 2008 at 05:45 PM
That is so cute Kay! Way to go Steve for still sending flowers after 20 years. You're my hero.
Posted by: karen | February 12, 2008 at 05:50 PM
I have only one word for Steve:
Blender
Posted by: Peter Eelman | February 13, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Personally, I like the flowers I get! You know, the ones that are still in the cellophane wrapper, needing to be unwrapped, soaked, cut and arranged! But, it's the thought that counts, right?!
Posted by: Christie | February 13, 2008 at 09:23 AM
It's so wonderful to hear such romance coming out of a twenty year old relationship(did you marry at 12?). Everyone considering marriage should read your blog(and clone Steve?).Thanks for the warmth and the smiles your articles bring.
Posted by: Beverly Simpson | February 19, 2008 at 10:30 AM