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Making Sure Everything Comes Up Roses
By Keith Hagarty
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| --Photo By Keith Hagarty Florists such as Colonial Bouquet, Lakehurst, are sure to be buzzing this Valentine's Day. |
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Nothing says romance better than a dozen long stem red roses given to you by that special someone, says "newlywed" Manny Delmonte, of Brick.
"I think it's a law here, right?" the 36-year old joked. "Here comes February. Here comes Valentine's Day- here come the roses."
Although he and wife, Erica, have been married for nearly three years now, Delmonte said it still feels like it just happened.
"I tell you, some days I can't believe I've already been married for so long already, it seriously feels like it was only yesterday she was flipping out over the flowers for our ceremony, and how everything was going wrong- but it worked out fine," he said. "Now a couple years later, I got to figure out how many roses to send her (for Valentine's Day) and how much I can send to her office without getting her in trouble … or my wallet."
Delmonte, like many men nationwide, will be facing similar hurdles in the coming weeks as they try to figure out the best way to say "I love you' on Valentine's Day through the gift of flowers.
While guys can take several approaches, the most important aspect when selecting the perfect rose, or any flower, for that special someone is to know their personal tastes and perhaps the most important of all:
"You don't want to wait until the last minute on Valentine's Day and be here with all of the other guys who waited and are all grouchy trying to grab whatever's left, " said Kathy Abrahamsen, co-owner of Colonial Bouquet, Inc. on Union Avenue in Lakehurst.
For most guys, getting over the intimidation factor of entering a florist shop is job number one.
"Sometimes just walking in the door is a big step for guys," she said. "They can be anonymous in a supermarket or a gas station, but in a flower shop here you are, face to face talking to somebody. If they have any problems deciding on their selections, we can help them out."
Working as a florist provides an opportunity to help some of the more confused men do their best to help woo their significant other, including writing something appropriate and romantic on the card, according to Abrahamsen.
"A message should always be something that's romantic, nice and brief, not just something that says: here's your flowers," she said.
Receiving the wrong message on the card can definitely create unwanted confusion, as Jessica Mandylor, 23, of Pt. Pleasant, can relate.
"I think it was like a few years ago, and my boyfriend at the time brought me roses- which aren't even my favorite, I like tulips- because his ex-girlfriend liked roses, and he got us mixed up," she said. "So he wasn't my boyfriend much longer after that."
Mandylor is more optimistic about the chances for her current boyfriend this time around.
"He's very romantic, so far anyway, and this will be our second Valentine's Day together so I'm sure he'll do a good job," she said. "As long as there's tulips, no matter what color, I'll be happy."
When it comes to picking the right flowers, Abrahamsen's advice is simple: when in doubt, stick to the classics.
"It's always the roses, those are always the most popular," she said. "Red is always for romance … but for those who don't want to commit right away, they can send pink or yellow for friendship."
But before a guy automatically goes out and buys a dozens roses, Abrahamsen has a warning.
"When buying flowers, a man needs to pay attention to her signals," she said. "There are some people that don't even like roses, they may like orchids or carnations or daisies, so you need to pay attention."
"You can't go wrong with a single red rose," she said. "It's simple, it states I love you, it's not overwhelming, and if it's not their favorite? Well you know what, it's just one flower."
For 28-year old Darnell Trentson, of Jackson, 2008 is the perfect opportunity for Valentine's Day to grow with the everevolving times.
"Who says only ladies get the flowers?" he posed. "Maybe some of the fellows want to get a bouquet of daisies, or something big and pink- of course I'm not one of them, but I'm sure they're out there."
Trentson easily recalled the first special girl in his heart he ever gave a rose to.
"It was my mom, no doubt," he said. "It was either Valentine's or Mother's Day, I know that. My dad always made sure we always gave her flowers- and roses just made her melt."
Whether it's flowers for a special occasion, flowers to smooth an argument, or flowers just because, florists see it all when it comes to relationships, and this Valentine's Day promises to be no different.
"We already know a lot more about romance as a whole than a lot of people will ever find out," said Abrahamsen.
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