Valentine's Day

Well...the dreaded V-day has come and gone. Someone referred to it as Black Tuesday, which I found rather amusing. I spent much of the day at the Kansas Capitol building in Topeka speaking with law makers (if you know anything about me, you know this was considered fun for me). I also participated in a tradition I have held for approximately five years.

In high school I decided I despise Valentine's Day. School organizations would sell balloons, candy and carnations to raise money. They would deliver the items to the student's classrooms. I was often a recipient of these gifts - I don't detest the day because I was left out, rather because it made other women feel left out. I remember at least two girls who ordered flowers or balloons for themselves so they could walk around the halls during the day and feel special. What kind of holiday reduces women to that level of desperation? I decided then that Valentine's Day is a worthless commercial holiday. People in relationships are often upset because reality never meets expectations; people alone feel lonely. Why do we do this to ourselves? I'm still not sure.

Anyway, sometime in my early twenties I discovered the remedy to my dislike for the holiday. I decided to make women, single women, feel special. For the past five years I buy bouquets and roses for women. I take vacation time from work and I act as the delivery person and deliver the flowers personally. Now I look forward to the holiday every year. It is amazing the joy that a single rose can bring. It isn't just the flower; it's that somebody acknowledged them, somebody cares for them, they matter to someone. For some it represents hope deferred, for some it reminds them of better days. It doesn't really matter. It is a meaningful tradition that I aim to keep. The only rule is - they have to be single. I do have one exception, I also deliver flowers to women who gave birth to a baby that year. Each year I buy a couple extra because I inevitably meet women along the way who need a little joy.

A few years ago a surprise rose was given to a widow who worked in the office of someone I was delivering flowers to. She asked my friend later why I had done that. The answer was so she would feel special. She has made my list of annual deliveries. I saw her yesterday and it brought a smile to her face. There are two single gals who have not dated for some time. When I showed up yesterday, one of them said, "Sheri, I can't believe you do this. How many years have you been doing this?" Before I arrived she looked down, when I left she had a smile and was smelling her rose. That was a beautiful picture, and well worth the effort. My surprise recipient this year is on the facilities staff at one of the offices I visited. I'm only vaguely familiar with her story. She looked like she was having a bad day, it was apparent in her face and body language. It was like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. I gave her the flower, a hug and said, "Happy Valentine's Day." The weight lifted. She smiled, one of those genuine smiles that can light up a room. These little interactions have made a meaningless holiday a beautiful celebration of women - special women that offer their gifts to the world, but don't have a special someone to recognize their beauty. You guessed it, I had a wonderful Valentine's Day.

I was curious, so I looked up the history of the day. If you'd like to know, visit http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/?page=history

To all of the amazing women who are my friends and family - Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you know that you are special.