By Alex Berger
Gloria's sentimental Valentine's Day greeting to her adored Alex: You are dark and handsome. When it is dark, you are handsome
Long before there was a Valentine's Day, people linked the beauty and fragrance of flowers with ideas of love and romance. The Greeks and Romans had a love story for almost every kind of flower. When Cupid carried a jar of nectar to a council of gods on Mount Olympus, he spilled the nectar, which bubbled up from the earth in the form of roses.
The daisy had once been a lovely forest nymph who had sunk into the earth to outwit the pursuits of Vertumnus, the god of spring. Throughout the years, various meanings have been ascribed to flowers, which possess a silent language used to convey one's sentiments to others.
Red and pink are customarily the colors to express love and deep affection on Valentine's Day. Of all the flowers, the red rose declares the greatest intensity of love the beholder has for the beheld. Red and white roses together signify unity in a relationship.
Although Valentine's Day is a special time for sweethearts, it is also a day to express affection for friends and special relatives as well. Flowers other than roses can imply loyalty, innocence, admiration, happiness, or simply say, “You are my friend.”
Green foliage added to a bouquet represents hope and the promise of fulfillment. Because flower-growers produce an abundant variety of flowers in numerous colors, you can express your sentiments through flowers and foliage all year long.
Don't know what flower to give? As a public service, I will list the most special ones (and the sentiments conveyed by each) for you to present to that someone most special on the day most special for sweethearts. Pick and choose carefully the exact blossom that truly expresses your feelings for her/him.
Then sit back and drink in the feedback you will receive from that person. No, don't thank me. Just invite me to the wedding: CARNATION – Fascination (pink); admiration (red); yes (solid); no (striped). CHRYSANTHEMUM (bet you can't spell it without looking) – You are a wonderful friend; cheerfulness; truth; I love you (red). DAISY – Innocence, loyal love. GARDENIA – You are lovely; secret love. ORCHID – Beauty, refinement; Chinese symbol for many children. ROSE – I love you (red); perfect happiness (pink); unity (red and white together); purity and innocence (white); friendship (yellow). SNAPDRAGON – Gracious lady. STEPHANOTIS – Happiness in marriage; desire to travel. TULIP – Perfect lover; declaration of love (red) hopeless love (yellow). FERN – Magic; fascination; (maidenhair fern) secret bond of love IVY – Fidelity; friendship; affection. MYRTLE – Love; Hebrew emblem of marriage.
Which flower am I going to give Gloria, you ask? Gosh, if I could, I would choose one of each. However, if I must choose only one, I guess it would have to be the Stephanotis. But before I do, I would have Gloria read this column first so that she would know that flower's true meaning. Before the presentation, I will say. “This Bud's for you” and give her a kiss. Then I will calmly sit back and await her feedback. A memo to Roz, my editor – “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control, I may not be able to return to work until a week from next Tuesday. Unless Gloria makes it a month.
A few years back, two girls in high school were friends. Ceil kept advising Beryl on how to find the perfect mate. She said: “You need a guy like my Gerard who is sweet and kind; you need a guy like my Gerard who has a good job; you need a guy like my Gerard who is good-looking.” Beryl and Gerard will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day.
Curiously, in Japan, many young ladies are choosing their husbands according to their blood type. “A man's blood type describes his character most accurately,” said one, in the hunt for a mate. She had already turned away several suitors, including a Mr. Wonderful, because he had the wrong blood type. She explained that Type O men were too needy, Type A too boring, Type B sweet but they wouldn't like her. So, she will settle for an AB fellow because in marriage, he will be “interesting to talk to, very kind and very nice.” Flowers, unfortunately, wouldn't have cut the mustard for her unlucky suitors.
Japan has an obsession with blood types. The blood in your veins supposedly determines how well you live and love, how well you manage money, and whether you will succeed at marriage. Great marriages or lousy careers are attributed to blood types. So, readers of female persuasion, to be perfectly sure in your marital choices, whisper sweetly in the ear of your next candidate these momentous words, “Hey, baby, what's your blood type?” Be suspicious if he will not reveal it. Immediately dump him since he will be withholding vital information from you and go on to the next chap. Again, don't thank me. Just invite me to the childrens' confirmations and bar mitzvahs.
Even though St. Valentine's Day is not a legal holiday, nor in most church calendars is it a religious holiday, it is still a very important day in people's PERSONAL calendars. This day affords a wonderful opportunity for everyone to tell someone how much he or she means to them. After all, to love is to feel the sun from both sides. In this shivering winter weather, we certainly can use all the sun we can get.
So, have a happy and enjoyable St. Valentine's Day and guys, give your someone special a great big kiss for me also. SMOOCH!
