(Gilmore Girls fan site)
“Give me a clue as to whether you’re kidding or not!” Lorelai was aghast.
For a moment there was no answer.
“I am not kidding,” Max said.
You know that feeling you get when the man you love says something that could be very romantic, except that he said it at completely the wrong time?
“Max, you did not just propose to me,” Lorelai said.
“Yes I did.”
“No!” She shook her head. “A proposal has to be planned. It should be magical! There should be music playing, and romantic lighting, and a subtle buildup to the popping of the big question. There should be a thousand yellow daisies.”
So he gave her a thousand yellow daisies.
Lorelai was overcome, speechless.
Not a thousand and one, not nine hundred ninety-nine. Exactly a thousand. A thousand yellow daisies.
Then he said, “I proposed because I love you.
“I woke up this morning and I realized that I have studied and talked about great literature all my life, and those stories are replete with characters that let opportunities slip by. But what I teach is more than just literature. It’s lessons in life. And if I don’t follow the tenants of those lessons, I’m not the man I thought I was.
“I love you, Lorelai Gilmore. And I know this to be true.”
I remember back when I first met my wife. We weren’t married then, of course. I remember bringing her flowers. At the time, she was renting a room in mutual friend’s house. While she was out, I set up a dozen roses in a display on the dining room table. I believe my beloved still has them, in a keepsake box somewhere.
I also remember once buying her a stuffed bear. Around its neck, I put a sapphire heart necklace. She still has that, too. In its ears, I put sapphire earrings.
I’m a typical man. My beloved can’t wear earrings. She has an allergy to them. I had never noticed before. Typical man.
I love her dearly. But I’m terrible at picking the right gift. I’m also terrible—believe it or not—at picking the right words.
So over the years, my wife and I, we’ve come to an understanding. It’s called: She buys what she actually wants, and I say, “Happy Valentine’s day. I love you.”
Last year, she wanted flowers. So she bought some.
This year, I suggested flowers. But some time ago, one of the stones fell out of her sapphire heart necklace. She’d like to have it repaired. She also has another ring with a missing diamond, and an amethyst with a missing ring. So this year, it’s jewelry, not flowers. She told me she’d take care of it. And I asked her please to show it to me after it’s finished so I can say I love her.
I’m not upset. Amused, yes. I also feel clueless. But I love her much too deeply to be upset. As long as we can continue to have our quiet evenings, after the kids have gone to bed, cuddled on the couch together watching Gilmore Girls, I’ll continue to be happy.
So, here’s the thing. I’m giving my wife flowers, anyhow. In addition to the jewelry. And I don’t care how well it goes over. Because something else happens after you’ve been in a relationship for enough years. You stop caring whether your gift bombs. Because you know she’ll keep loving you anyhow.
Diamonds are good. Diamonds are forever. Or at least that’s what the De Beers ad says. But so are yellow daisies. Yeah, I know. You send yellow flowers to brighten someone’s day, when they’re feeling down. But a Gilmore girl understands that yellow daisies are more than that. They’re how you say, “I love you, and I want to be married to you.” Especially if she turns around and gives some away to others. You have to be a Gilmore girl to understand that.
Here’s what I’m working up to. I’m going to buy her the sapphire. And the diamond. And the ring. Because that’s what she wants. But FTD also has what looks like a really nice vase of yellow daisies.
One evening, I’ll put on the “Yellow Daisies” Gilmore Girls episode. And after we’re done cuddling on the couch, there will be her own yellow daisies. And I’ll tell her I love her, and this I know is true, and I want to be married to her and to no one else.
Because Gilmore-ism.com is part of the FTD.com Affiliate program, you can get 10% off of the regular price of your own vase of yellow daisies. Or anything else at FTD.com. This is a deal that I myself can’t get. But you can. Here’s how:
1. First, click the following link. It will open in a new window.
2. In the upper right-hand corner of the page, look for “Product Search.” In the search box, type in “FFSB” (without the quotes).
3. Then click the “go” button. That will take you right to the FTD® Sunburst® Daisy Vase Bouquet.
FTD ships its flowers from local florists around the world. These flowers are covered by the FTD.COM ’Good As Gold’ Guarantee. According to FTD’s web site, “We guarantee fresh, beautiful floral arrangements and plants that will last at least seven days. If you are not satisfied with the freshness of your flowers… we will replace your item or refund your money.” (But see their web site for details.)
FTD.com can deliver flowers to almost all of the United States and Canada, as well as to more than 150 countries around the world. And you can buy now and have it delivered later. (See FTD’s delivery policies for details.)
That’s about it. I have to go, buy me some flowers.
-TimK
Update: Read the second half of the story: Here’s What Happens When You Surprise Your Wife.
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