Be My Valentine: With help of florist, his grand gesture gained him a bride
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Sandy and I had dated a number of years, and there was no doubt that we loved one another. Nevertheless, every time the subject of marriage came up, she was ready whenever I wasn't and vice versa.
The last time this occurred, I had the cold feet, and much to my chagrin, she purchased a Gibsonia townhouse without telling me, which was the cause of several disagreements.
Our lovers' quarrels were just like any other couple's -- they would last for several days, and then we'd kiss and make up and all was forgiven. However, a squabble occurred in mid-January of 1985 (the cause of which I cannot remember), resulted in us not talking for a month.
I fretted and worried whether the relationship was over. My love for her had not waned; it was just a common case of two stubborn people waiting for the other to make the first move.
The night before Valentine's Day, I haggled with an elderly owner of a small flower shop in Gibsonia about delivering roses to Sandy at 8 the next morning, as I knew it was my beloved's scheduled day off from work. The sweet proprietor, in her late 70s or early 80s, told me she could not possibly undertake additional orders due to the extraordinarily large volume of scheduled deliveries, coupled with the fact that the shop's hours were 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I pleaded and begged and boldly requested her to make the delivery personally for me! She listened attentively as I articulated my tale of woe, explaining that my detailed plan for the big day could not possibly be effectuated without her help.
Finally, she agreed to drive the large bouquet to Sandy's residence herself. Although she initially declined a generous reward, I eventually convinced the gentle soul to accept it as heartfelt thanks for the importance of her effort.
The next morning at work I was on pins and needles and had a hard time concentrating; I wondered if my lifesaver came through and worried whether my love's response would be positive.
The small card I included with the roses was more important than the flowers. It read: "This card entitles the holder to one free lunch at Tambellini's Restaurant on Seventh Avenue at twelve o'clock noon today, February 14. This offer will be null and void effective 2 p.m. on said date."
First Published February 10, 2012 12:00 am
