It was the first day of a new school year. The students had been dismissed and I was walking back to my office when I noticed a beautiful bouquet of pink carnations sitting on a table near the front office. Not only did the delicate bouquet have my favorite flowers but the hint of baby breath and eucalyptus leaves made for a beautiful arrangement. “Aw. Someone has a nice surprise waiting for them.” I said as I kept walking down the hall.
As I passed a colleague he pointed behind me. “Aren’t you going to get your flowers?” He asked.
“What? Really? For me?” I turned around and headed back to the arrangement. Taking the card out from the middle of the bouquet it really did have my name on it.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I opened the card:
Happy First Day of School!
Love,
Steven, Max and Alex
“Aw. How sweet is that?” I tucked the card back in the envelope, picked up the vase and cradling it in my arms I headed for my car.
When I arrived at home Steven and Alex were waiting for me at the front door.
“Oh good. They did get delivered.” Steven said as he stepped aside to let me and my beautiful bouquet pass by. “When we didn’t hear from you I thought they hadn’t gotten there in time.”
“Actually I was so busy running around that I didn’t see them until the end of the day.” I placed them on the counter checking to make sure none of the flowers had been damaged on the car ride home. “Aren’t they gorgeous!” I turned around and hugged them both. “Thank you so much! I love them!”
“We could see you were a little sad that your summer break was ending so we thought we’d surprise you with them.” Steven smiled as he went over to the arrangement to check it out. “They did a nice job.” He nodded his approval. “But we thought you’d keep them at work to brighten up your desk?”
I shook my head. “I’m never at my desk.” I went over and picked up the vase and placed them in the middle of the dining room table. “I’ll have more time to enjoy them here when I get home from work.”
Steven shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever makes you happy.”
I leaned in and inhaled their scent. “This definitely makes me happy.” I sighed.
“So, why are pink carnations your favorite?” Alex asked.
“Well, they’re beautiful, long lasting, low maintenance and when I was little girl I could buy one for about twenty-five cents.” I smiled at the memory. “I loved having one in a little bud vase on my bedside table.”
“Well, I don’t think this is going to fit on your bedside table.” Steven laughed.
“Nope! That’s why it’s staying right here in the middle of the table!” I leaned over and inhaled again. “Now I get to enjoy two dozen of these little beauties!” I turned around and gave another quick hug to both of them. “This was definitely the highlight of my first day back to school!”
“That’s what we were hoping.” Steven went over to the refrigerator and pulled out a package of hot dogs. “Alex and I are making dinner. Let me know when you want me to throw these on the grill?”
“Flowers and dinner?” I couldn’t help but smile. “This is the best first day back to school ever!”
Slice of Life 