With Valentine’s Day in the books for another year, we will watch as stores lower their flower count and begin to breathe again. The roses will start to wilt, wither and die. But it’s the thought that will remain.
If you were one of those who received flowers last Friday, you are lucky. Not because it was Valentine’s Day, but because you recieved a gift that is as beautiful as you are.
I will admit my love for flowers extends far above the level of obsession that it should—but I can’t help it. There’s just something about how dainty and fragile they are. Last week my roommates and I were going through my bridal magazines—and no, I’m not getting married, this is another obsession I will save for another time—and we pointed out all the flowers that we found particularly beautiful.
Regardless if you are obsessed or not, we’ve all been there. Thinking flowers are a waste of money because their lifespan averages a week at most. But the length of their life is not the point. Instead, it’s the reason behind the gesture.
A friend once told me why a person deserves flowers. She said, “It’s because a flower is beautiful, and you deserve beautiful things.” I had never thought of it in that way. Receiving flowers wasn’t necessary to me. And because of that attitude, I didn’t believe giving flowers was necessary either.
On Valentine’s Day I watched as people scanned and rummaged through the bouquets of roses, daffodils, chrysanthemums, orchids and lilies. Each person looking for the most flawless arrangement. You would think it’d be easy to just pick up a bouquet and throw it in the cart. But there is much more thought that goes into it.
This Valentine’s Day I received six perfect roses in a wine bottle. So simple, fragile and deep red in color. Even though I am a self-proclaimed flower connoisseur, I have scoffed at the thought of myself receiving flowers. I didn’t need them, so save the money. But thinking back on my friend’s theory, I came to the realization. I deserve flowers. Whether they are from a friend, parent, sibling, significant other or even a gift to myself. I deserve flowers.
A flower isn’t a diamond necklace or a new handbag. A flower in and of itself, is a reminder that beauty is simple. It is fragile and should be handled with care. You are beautiful. Flowers are beautiful. And you deserve beautiful things.