i'll take that trade

Today Holly told me that if her husband ever bought her carnations -- unless it were her funeral -- that she'd laugh in his face. Because carnations, she said, are a funeral flower. And if he got some for her funeral, she wouldn't laugh. Mostly because she'd be dead, but partly because it'd be occasion-appropriate.

So then we got to talking about flowers. Which ones we like, which ones we don't. Which ones make good bouquets. (This had all been sparked by a commercial she'd just heard on the radio for Valentine's carnations. Ridiculous.)

I mention that I like roses and tulips. Holly seconds, and adds lillies to the list. Then we discuss other flowers we like that are not suitable for bouquets, like irises and gladiolas. And then I bring up the very trendy Gerber daisy. And the conversation goes something like this:

Me: I do love a Gerber daisy. But I'ma need it to be part of a bigger bouquet, with other flowers, really. I mean, as a centerpiece, just Gerbers would be fine.

Holly: Right.

Me: But as a bouquet, I'd want somethin' else in there.
Holly: I agree.

Me: [Boyfriend No. 4] got me Gerbers once. They were beautiful, I'll give him that.

Holly: I remember. They were in your office?

Me: Those were roses, actually. The Gerbers he got me for my birthday, when I got a pedicure at Essential Day Spa and he paid for it and upgraded it. The flowers were waiting there for me.

Holly: That's sweet.

Me: It is. He was good at that stuff, for sure. Just not at most everything else. Or being a decent human being.

Holly: Sometimes I wish that [my husband] was showy, but then I realize I should be grateful that he's not a cheating douchebag. I'll take the trade, ya know?

cheers,
elizabeth