After Christmas last year, I had a talk with John where I shared how I felt about gifts and holidays and flowers and such. In regards to the flowers, I said that I would rather not receive flowers at all than to receive a bunch of flowers from the grocery store. I am no flower arranger so I love it when they are arranged beautifully by a professional. When I receive a bunch of unarranged flowers from a grocery store one part of me is thankful for the thought, however, another part of me feels that the "thought" was rather last minute and rushed and that doesn't make me feel as special as I feel when thought (and more of an investment) is put into ordering a special arrangement of flowers. What means the most to me is the thought invested into the gift, not the gift itself. I would be happier with a thoughtfully written letter than an arrangement of flowers on, say, Valentine's Day, because the letter requires more heartfelt thought and effort than ordering the flowers. I do love a beautiful floral arrangement and to really score with me in the "thought invested" department, receiving flowers on a random day completely unconnected with any holiday or birthday would be the way to do it. A holiday, especially one like Valentine's Day, is just like a big reminder that, "oh yeah, I should do something..." It is lovely to receive gifts then, but it's even lovelier to me to receive them at spontaneous times because then it really shows to me that I'm on your mind and you don't need any big reminders to let me know how much you care.
Anyway, so much for my thoughts on that matter... I wanted to post a picture of the flowers that were delivered to my doorstep this Valentine's Day as a result of my sweet husband's thoughtful efforts. :) I thought they were too beautiful not to share. (even if I am sharing a ridiculous 8 months after the fact!)
