For the first time ever, I didn’t get roses for Valentines Day. I got dirt….and I could not be more ecstatic about it.
Most of you already know that I love flowers and working in my yard. Add my frugality to that and you can quickly see that I would much rather get a plant, flower, bulb, perennial, shrub or ANYTHING that will continue to thrive versus a bouquet of roses or cut flowers that will die and get tossed in the trash (actually, into my compost pile).
However, my hubby and I are total opposites in many ways – some that are great and some that make our marriage more challenging. With that being said, he has always been quick to grab me a bouquet of flowers or roses whether it be Valentines Day or any other time that he wanted to surprise me. I have always smiled, smelled the flowers and put them into water….secretly thinking what a horrible waste of money when that same amount could be spent on something to get planted in the ground that would multiply year after year. I know….how ungrateful I am, right ? It’s the frugal portion of my brain and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t turn it off.
I’m sure that I’ve “hinted” in a round about way to the fact that I’d prefer something “plantable” over cut flowers that just die – and then I finally settled into acknowledging our differences and the sentiment behind his giving of cut flowers or roses. He’s given me many unexpected bouquets to brighten my day, especially in the past year and I don’t think I ever “hinted” to him about it again.
And then it happened….
He came in from work today with one hand behind his back. I just knew he was hiding a bouqet of my favorite flowers or some pink or red roses for Valentines Day and then my world stood still for at least 30 seconds as he pulled a beautifully gift wrapped POT (yes, I said P-O-T – a pot with dirt in it !!) with even more beautiful red & pink tulips. 6 perfect beauties that had not had their lifespan cut short, still growing and blooming from their own miraculous bulb planted in a pot of dirt. Ready for me to transplant into my yard and watch them multiply, grow and bloom for many years to come.
But you know the best part? HE GETS IT ….one simple gift gesture let me know that FINALLY some of my frugality must be rubbing off on him! I think he is really starting to “Get It” now !!
And so I got Dirt for Valentines Day….and I have never been happier!
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