Wednesday - Roses from My Valentine

[ninanevermore]

Today on my drive into work, I was thinking about the fact that, for the 17th time in a row, I got roses in a vase for Valentine's Day. I'm touched by the way he held them out to me this morning, like a schoolboy presenting a bouquet of posies to the girl next door. They are lovely, a mix of red and white long-stemmed beauties.

If only I had the heart to tell him, after almost 2 decades years together, that I don't like cut flowers. It's too late, I'm afraid. After all this time, after all this money wasted on flowers, I fear it would devastate him. He's been so proud of each bouquet he's ever given me. I know him. He didn't just walk in, grab the first flowers he saw, toss them on the counter, and walk out. He is an aviation mechanic and inspector, and so he is thorough and has an eye for detail. He looked at them all, chose the most perfect roses he could find, and even arraigned them in the vase himself. I've watched him pick gifts for other people, so I know how he does this. I also know how he thinks: roses are pretty, and he thinks I am pretty, too, so he buys me roses.

While I dislike the flowers themselves, I find myself blushing at the compliment they represent: after 17 years together, he still thinks I'm pretty. That knowledge alone is all the Valentine I needed.


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Comments

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

~_^

[sidneymintz.livejournal.com]

so nice :)

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

Ah, the curse of being a low-maintenance woman. I wonder what it would be like to be that girl who looks at a bouquet of flowers and says, "That's it? That's all you got me?!"

[royannadawn.livejournal.com]

While I dislike the flowers themselves, I find myself blushing at the compliment they represent: after 17 years together, he still thinks I'm pretty. That knowledge alone is all the Valentine I needed.

I think that's the definition of "It's the thought that counts."

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

Either I'm a sweetheart, or kind of a sap. The jury is still out on this question. ;)

[lil-ms-drama.livejournal.com]

While I do love dying flowers, I told Dale exactly what I wanted for Valentine's Day this year.

I hope he got the hint when I said "The Valentine heart with the Lindor truffles in them. You can get it at Walgreens, Target, and Wal-Mart and I know because I saw it there."

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

Not today, he can't, there's nothing but dusty shelves and a few of those cheap boxes of generic chocolate left. Hope he shopped early. ;D

Jeff is in a bind, though, since I don't eat chocolates because of the sugar in them. I'm picky about jewelry (I'll say I like what he picks but then never wear it). As for clothes, he doesn't even buy those for himself, much less anyone else. I tell him (every year) just to get a card and I'm cool with that. And every year he buys more roses...

[lil-ms-drama.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it's gift card time!

That is, only if you'll spend it on yourself.

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

He hears me bitch about the gift cards I get from my father and That Woman My Father is Married To. As a result of them, I have gift card baggage, so I think Jeff would be terrified to buy me a gift card. Gift cards are best from people who really don't see you that often and therefore really have no idea what you like or need.

I only want a greeting card. I really am that low maintenance. Really!

[straphesia.livejournal.com]

~grin~ That's really spectacular. Congratulations. :)

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[renewedme.livejournal.com]

That's sweet :) Aren't you glad he still thinks you are beautiful??

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

I am glad, very. ^_^

[jenelycam.livejournal.com]

How very sweet!!! I'm not big into roses either, but I love flowers. And in our 8 years together...Greg has bought me ONE rose... He's just not that kind of guy apparently. My ex gave me 18 roses (spread in a few different bouquets) one year. So I guess I know that flowers don't mean LOVE, but sometimes are lipservice. I'd rather Greg be true to be than give me lipservice. ;P

It's cute that you know the reasoning and precision behind his roses!!! I think it's very sweet, and at least you know it's sincere!!!

[jenelycam.livejournal.com]

That's nice. He gave me that rose when he (formally with ring, already sized) proposed to me!! ^_^

Maybe Jeff is trying to tell you he will love you for several lifetimes!!

He's so sweet!!! Greg never does that. ;P

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

I'm a poet, and I happen to know that the symbolism behind a single rose given (no matter what the color) is enduring love. Because I know this, I've asked for a single rose, but I always gets dozens of them. (*sigh*)

I know because we've had conversations like this: "Why did you get me this?" "Because it's bright and sunny-looking, and you're bright and sunny. It reminded me of you." (I scratch my head while studying odd little ceramic gift) "Oh. OK. It's...cute! Thank you."

[megan9mm.livejournal.com]

i don't particularly like cut flowers either. i think i got it from my mother. we both find them depressing as they wilt and die.

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

That they do. I'd rather have a live potted plant that will last more than a week. He doesn't think an ivy is "romantic" enough, though.

[manicmandi.livejournal.com]

Damn Nina, just be happy he cares!! lmao :oP
Last year was the first time in TEN LONG YEARS Matt had given me anything for valentines day. He gave me this. I wasn't sad cause they were dead. I was happy he was acting like he actually cared. This year I got a chocolate rose and I donno wheather I should be mad or happy. I think someone at work gave it to him lol. I'm jealous of all these people who get flowers cause their hubbies/sig others care :o( I never know if Matt reallllly cares or not. He never really acts like it. I don't mind not getting flowers or anything if he just ACTS like he cares. I just don't think he understands what it means to do things because it makes ME feel nice. I try to do lil things for him all the time. I just never really feel like my love is recipricated. :o/ WHOOOOAAAA is me! I'm Eeyore today!

[adamant-turtle.livejournal.com]

LOL! I feel EXACTLY the same way...but for some reason, men seem to have the generic idea that all women love being given flowers.

Give me a good book any day :-/

[georgiaskydiver.livejournal.com]

Aww. What a beautiful thing. Thanks for sharing.

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

The roses are wilting on my table a few feet away from me right now. I get to toss the damned things out today. ^_^