The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.
~ Elisabeth Foley
You used to bring me flowers. You never failed. Always, on both anniversaries, January 15 and April 14 - a bouquet of sweet-smelling roses with a lovingly written note would be found on the bed, on the dining table, in your hand. I thought it was sweet of a boyfriend and later, a husband to never miss giving flowers to his wife not just on their wedding anniversary but on their friendship anniversary.
But last year you forgot! I was hoping to wake up today to the sweet smell of roses but there was not a single one in the house!
You don't bring me flowers anymore....I should be sad. But really I'm not.
Because you constantly bring the sunshine in with your funny jokes (and corny ones!)...
You brighten up our hum-drum days with your rich baritone, singing my favorite songs...
You lighten my load with your unceasing support and encouraging words...
You patiently put up with everything that's annoying and unlikeable about me....
You honestly tell me what you think of me and my ideas...
You comfort me when I am down...
You give me tight hugs and warm embraces even when they are not expected...
You always tell me, on a daily basis, that you love me and all other things that make you love me...
You inspire me with your faith in God and in humanity...
You are not Mr. Perfect, but you are Mr. Right!
You may not have brought me flowers these past two (friendship) anniversaries but I'm not complaining. I am not even disappointed. The flowers may be a good punctuation mark to our story and the splash of color to the memory of our love. But it can never match the blessing that you are to me.
Flowers do brighten my day. But you light up my life!
I love you, Gani!
Thank you, Ma'am! It's amazing how the spelling evolved from "Ma'am" (which was how I addressed you 22 years ago) to "Mom" (which is what I now alternately call you)! I'm so sorry about the flowers, and I won't even justify the omission by feigning amnesia. It's just that flowers all seemed to be redundant because at home, and anywhere else, your love brings about this feeling of always having flowers around us--especially when you smile at me, and hug me tightly. It's the spontaneity in all these that fills me with the scent of a thousand flowers. So thank you again, Nenette, for an awesome 20 years (this April) you've given of yourself to this journey. I didn't bring the flowers because you have brought them all in. I love you!
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