Parenting
By Jamie Thompson
There I was at the grocery store with my two kids, Lily and Sam. As we strolled past the flower section, Sam looked up at me with a grin and asked, “Are you going to get Mom some flowers?” Lily chimed in from the cart, “Yeah, let’s surprise her with flowers!” It struck me that although they may not fully grasp the significance of giving flowers, they certainly recognize the happiness it brings to their mother. This simple act of buying flowers for their mom has become a cherished routine in our family, and they wanted to join in expressing their appreciation.
When my partner, Alex, and I tied the knot over a decade ago, I made a promise to myself to buy her flowers each month. Honestly, I’ve struggled to keep that promise. In the early years, I was diligent about it, but as life got busy with work, school, and raising kids, I let it slide. Sure, I still bought her flowers occasionally—often following a disagreement or to brighten a tough day—but it ended up being just two or three times a year, which is far from what I intended.
I always had excuses: time constraints, financial limitations—the usual stories we tell ourselves. However, over the past year, I’ve made a concerted effort to get back to my original commitment of buying her flowers monthly. And you know what? It’s really quite simple. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to strengthen our marriage and show my love.
Gone are the days of navigating the florist, waiting in line, and selecting flowers. Now, I can order them with just a few clicks online. There are numerous affordable flower delivery services available, including local florists. I regularly receive discount offers in my email, making it even easier to surprise Alex. Recently, I arranged for her to receive flowers and chocolates over three days—a delightful surprise that required only a few minutes of my time. Each delivery brought her joy, and my kids were excited to help set the flowers up in water.
This experience made me realize that my efforts to appreciate Alex have a ripple effect on our children. I have a son and a daughter, and I want Sam to understand how to treat a partner well. I want him to see that expressing affection, even after years of marriage, is important. For Lily, I want her to grow up expecting that kind of love and care from her future partner.
While we were picking out flowers, I turned to Sam and said, “When you marry, I expect you to buy your wife flowers.” He nodded earnestly. Then I looked at Lily and said, “Whoever you end up with better surprise you with flowers. You should expect that.” She smiled widely and hugged me.
When we got home, Lily and Sam playfully fought over who would give the flowers to Alex. In the end, Lily won with a promise that Sam would take his turn next time. Bursting with excitement, she handed Alex the bouquet of tulips, exclaiming, “Love you, Mommy!” Sam stood beside her with a big smile. Alex hugged them both and showered me with a grateful kiss.
You know, it doesn’t always have to be flowers. It could be chocolates, a favorite coffee, or any small, thoughtful gesture. The key is to show appreciation. For us, flowers symbolize my love and thoughtfulness. They reflect my desire to teach my children what romance looks like, and frankly, mothers deserve that recognition. They work tirelessly, often in thankless roles, juggling countless responsibilities daily, from dealing with messes to managing household chaos.
Buying flowers is a small, yet meaningful way to say, “Thank you for everything you do. You are appreciated.” Alex is beautiful and deserving of that joy. Investing in these small gestures isn’t frivolous; it’s a commitment to nurturing our marriage and family.
For more insights on nurturing relationships and appreciating your partner, check out this post on Cervical Insemination. And if you’re interested in home insemination options, visit Make a Mom for reliable at-home insemination kits. Plus, you can find valuable information on fertility at Medical News Today.
Summary
In summary, consistently showing appreciation to mothers through simple gestures can have a profound effect on both the relationship and the children witnessing these acts of love. Whether it’s flowers or other thoughtful gifts, these expressions of gratitude help reinforce the importance of romance and affection in a family.
Leave a Reply