Valentine’s day’s got me thinking of an incident that happened a number of years ago.

You see, for many years, my husband, of more than forty years, had a standing arrangement with a local florist. He would send me a rose each Monday morning. Sure, he would send me huge floral arrangements on my birthday, anniversary, and on those really special occasions - - but this was something different. This was one rose -- one single, long stemmed, beautiful red rose. Believe me, receiving one rose every week, made me feel oh so very special.

One day, I was in the lobby of the hospital where I worked, when they delivered my rose. One of my co-workers shouted across the lobby in a loud voice for all to hear "So who's getting the rose?" When I proudly said I was the lucky one, the conversation went as follows

Patti: "So who sent you the rose?"

My response: "My husband."

Patti: "Why?"

My Response: "Because I 'm sweet, adorable — and on top of all that — I deserve it."

With that final remark, and after the laughter around us had subsided, Patti tossed her head and quipped as she walked away 

"So, who gets the other eleven?"

That evening, I casually said to my husband "So, who gets the other eleven?" Guess what? That was the last time I received one single, beautiful rose.

A word of caution — if your beau, significant other, husband, companion, or boyfriend ever sends you a single rose, don’t ever ask "who’s getting the other eleven."

-30-

(Home)