As a countdown to my 30th birthday on March 18, I’ve committed to offering 30 people, things and experiences I want to celebrate from the last 30 years. Grab a piece of cake and enjoy reading!
Yup. We’re talking about the kinda flowers a boy gives a girl.
While I couldn’t count the number of times I’ve received flowers from my husband or for theatrical or choral performances, there’s only one time in my life where the act felt like a momentus occasion.
I was 20 years old and having some version of a cross-country relationship with a guy named Erik I’d met over the summer. We exchanged heartfelt letters (yes, letters!) and had the occasional phone call.
I was also in a play that semester and spending plenty of my nights in rehearsal. The day before the play opened was a long one. I’d left my apartment early for class and didn’t return home until close to midnight, when my roommate informed me that the student union had called earlier. There was a package awaiting me.
Never one to turn down a package, I turned right around and walked across campus to the student union where I found the most gorgeous bouquet of sunflowers sitting on the desk. They were from Erik.
As I’ve said, I’ve received many bouquets of flowers. But this was first time as a woman that I encountered a man going out of his way to express affection for me. I sat up a long time that night enjoying the warm California air – unable to call Erik due to the time difference – feeling tremendously appreciative and delighted. Feeling, for the first time, overwhelmed by the simple pleasures of romance, by the joy at being celebrated by a man.
