He never brought me flowers. Even during our brief, whirlwind courtship, he never brought me any – not even a petal of a wilting rose – ever! The only thing I remember he gave me was barbecue from a sidewalk vendor, wrapped in brown paper bag – which he impishly handed me while we were waiting for a jeepney ride.
I detested him. It was not love at first sight, it was hate at first sight. But I guess there is some truth to it when they say – “you always hate the one you love”, and accuracy on the belief that you always end up marrying the person you dislike (but maybe secretly love?
)
The only time I remember when I received three roses from him was during a Rotary meeting which coincided on a Valentine’s Day. The president of the club told all Rotarians to bring their Anns. I was never keen in attending Rotary functions, but I was obliged because I did not want him to appear pathetic without his wife, and because I was apprehensive he might bring someone else.
There was a special part of the program in which the Rotarians were to present roses to their Anns. The roses of course were provided by the host club. (Darn!) The giving of roses was done individually. After each Rotarian handed the roses to his Ann, the Ann would deliver a short message.
It so happened that I was the first one to speak. Well, I did a good job, I’m sure, because I shamelessly told everyone, “This is the first time that I ever received flowers from my husband. I am happy although it seems he’s not the one who thought of the idea, nor was he the one who personally bought these flowers.”
Oh, my God! I felt guilty after giving my speech, that I might have embarrassed my husband. To my surprise though, when the other Anns gave their talk after me, around 90 percent of them confessed that it was also their first time to receive roses from their husbands. Those confessions brought the house down. LOL! Hah! I felt vindicated.
That was Valentine’s Day year 1994. The next Valentine’s celebrations, my husband would seem to dutifully give me flowers, though not religiously. Some Valentines, he would remember, other Valentines, he would forget. And those Valentines in which he would present me with roses – I later found out – were done upon my daughter’s manipulation. She would buy roses from the school canteen and would tell her dad to give them to me. So, you see – we had a cupid playing in our midst, which only meant those roses did not really come from him.
He protests – “But I always have something for you on Valentine!” Ummmm…. come to think of it – he’s right. But then, those ’somethings’ turned out to be either something for the kitchen or something for the whole family – home appliances in particular, which I found not very romantic, and were rather reminders for me to improve on my housekeeping duties.I want flowers this Valentine! Won’t someone tell him that I want 12 long stemmed red roses?
His CP number is 091948…. oh, never mind… I won’t feel any good anyway, knowing he is giving me roses because of someone’s coaxing. *Sobs*
Feb
13
Filed under: Marriage and Relationships
oh, when will husbands ever learn? btw, does he ever read your blogs? happy valentine’s dear!
Men can’t get our hints. Just be honest about it. Sometimes they need to be prodded.
Aww, your daughter is so cute!
After the birth of my daughter ang dalas ng hubby ko magbigay ng bulaklak. Siguro iniisip niya malungkot at bored ako dito sa bahay and need something pretty to look at
Ayayay… we’re in the same boat dear.
When I was dating my hubby, he’d give the most ridiculous reasons for not giving me flowers. And most of the time it was my “fault” dahil “inuunahan” ko daw sya.
Now that we’re married, Valentine is the least of my worries. I don’t bother anymore because it’s too hyped. I’d like to share with you his plan though…
On the weekend he showed me a newspaper clipping of a Jazz restaurant which says £25/pp meals are on offer including oysters for starters. He said “date tayo”, aba okay ah but I turned it down saying we’ll go out na lang on his or my birthday. Then on Sunday, he called home from work, you know what he said? “Did you book the restaurant?”
If I don’t know my hubby by now, I’d have died of a heart attack.
He might just surprise you with ‘em flowers, you would not know!
He sounds like my Daddy though, does not give my Mommy flowers also during their courtship … Hehe.
Ok lang ako walang roses sa Valentine’s Day. MacBook Pro na lang hehehe
Dine, sometimes he takes a peek.. LOL.. Happy Valentine’s too!
You’re right, Noemi and I think ‘manhid’ is a more direct term, though it sounds quite harsh. Prod him? Can’t. Probably just ask someone to prod him for me..
Wow, Christianne. He sure knows how to please you.
Auee, naku, ganyang ganyan ang hubby ko. Pag nagre-reklamo ako na di man lang niya ako naiisip regaluhan, sasabihin niya – Ikaw naman, bakit mo kasi ako pinangungunahan… Kaya, ayun, nakalusot na naman.. hehe
I wonder how your mom felt about it, Kyels. Naku bakit kasi sa ating mga babae, mahalaga ang mga ganyan detalye, tapos pag di nagawa ng mg asawa o boyfriend, magmamaktol tayo.. LOL
Connie, hahaha… Naku, mantra ko na yan araw araw, palagi na lang, before he leaves, I tell him, “Pa, yung MacBook ha,” At first, he thought McDo… so he brought home burgers fries and spaghetti from McDo.. Hehe.. sounds corny but true.
Well when I was suffering from a triple whammy of PPD, winter blues, and homesickness, I suppose he noticed that flowers made me happy and made our little apartment more cheerful, so since then he’s given me flowers on special occasions and sometimes “just because”.
I hope your hubby gets to read this para may surprise ka bukas
LOL at the McDo story!
Happy Valentines day po.. the thought of having a cupid amidst the family looks wonderful
..doing a good job.
What a delightful story Rhodora! I ‘ve got a funny feeling you’ll get that long stemmed roses
In my 8 years with my hubby, I only got flowers once..
Christianne, you have a very caring hubby and I’m sure he helped you a lot in coping with homesickness. The flowers were a good idea because having them in your dwelling sort of counterbalanced the cold winter.
Happy Valentine’s Day too, Dimaks! Any special date?
Pining, magdilang anghel ka sana…. hehehe…. Ano kaya kung tayo na lang magbigay sa kanila ng bulaklak para matauhan sila? LOL!
I have never received flowers from my husband, at least you did even with prodding from your daughter.
Hi, Irene! Kaya nga – he needed to be prodded pa..
oh Tita Rhodes
but no frownies because giving flowers doesn’t really equate to love. I know you know what I mean. But I do understand that flowers can somehow spice up the romance. I never saw my father giving Mama flowers but they love each other really well and Papa takes care of her all the time.
Hmmmm ako never pang naka receive ng bulaklak…cd’s palagi binibigay sa akon..akala siguro ng mga lalaking eto DJ ako hrhrhrhr
Verns….. “akala siguro ng mga lalaking eto DJ ako”
Ang dami mo palang admirers, ha… Ummmm… kailangan ma-screen ang mga yan… hehehe.
sus…pag sinabi mong more than one considered na plural na yan di ba hahahaha
That was such a cute story Rhodora!
I never receive flowers from my husband too. He couldn’t afford it with the $5/day allowance I give him… hahaha! 
But I like it that the other Anns had the same experience. 
i also wonder why some husbands don’t go out of their ways to please their wives…with such a simple gesture as giving flowers. i have no problems with mine btw hehe. anyway, of course there are a thousand and one ways to express one’s love. maybe it’s better to just think of the things he did give you instead. anyway cheer up! happy valentine’s day!
This has got to be your most hilarious entry, Rhoda!!!
But worry not, there are men who just not good at showing their soft side.
Verns, oo nga ano. Pero I’m sure more than two sila.. hehehe
Toe, increase naman your hubby’s allowance… hehehe.
Yes, I was surprised too that the other Anns and I were on the same boat. Funny, but it seems most men are this way.
Kathy, maybe you have a point. Every time I feel bad because he doesn’t give me flowers, I just think of the other things he had given me even when there are no occasions.
Hay, naku, Eric… I think I have already accepted that fact.
You are not alone…before valentines day I had a big row with the hubby. For the first time in our life he bought me 10 short stemmed roses (supermarket type) and an anniversary card (we got married on valentines day) so it kinda softened my heart but not absolutely. If this will be a yearly event of receiving a bouquet…it remains to be seen.
Noemi is right- they need prodding…
Hi Rhodora,
I’ve been trying your link since yesterday but got errors. Buti naman oks na ngayon. Hope your Valentine’s was good.
Roses are so expensive here on Valentine’s Day. The flower shop sells them from $50-$100. What a scheme, huh? so for me, I dont mind not getting flowers. Now…flowers on an ordinary day would be something else (and when I get those, it just makes the day, even the week). I have not gotten them in a long time so …wishful thinking.
Hope you were not disapppointed.
Vicky, wow! You were married on Valentine’s Day! That sure calls for double celebration. There’s really some magic with flowers that softens our hearts when we receive them. Kaya nga, when men woo their love interests, they usually do it with flowers, right?
Leah, my site was probably down that time you were trying my link.
Same here, flowers are ‘gold’ on V-day.
Yeah, I think I would also feel more flattered when receiving flowers on ordinary days. So sweet, it means he remembers at any time.
Well, my daughter gave me flowers last V-day, none from hubby but he promised 26 roses on our 26th wedding anniv next month. But still, that remains to be seen..