#also the flowers are white roses and violets which symbolize forgiveness

[cutieacefuck]

wonder who that shadow is behind her 🌸

Gengar side 🌼

@amphitheresarewingednoodles

[winniblog]

How to Choose the Right Flowers for Your Anniversary Based on Your Partner's Preferences

Anniversaries are special milestones that celebrate love, commitment, and the journey shared between partners. One of the timeless and elegant ways to mark this occasion is by giving flowers. However, choosing the right flowers involves more than just picking the prettiest bouquet. To truly delight your partner, it's important to consider their preferences and the symbolic meanings behind different flowers. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you choose the perfect anniversary flowers based on your partner's tastes and preferences.

1. Understanding the Symbolism of Flowers

Flowers have been used for centuries to convey emotions and messages. Each type of flower carries its unique symbolism, which can add an extra layer of meaning to your gift. Here are a few popular flowers and their meanings:

Roses: Known universally as the symbol of love and passion, roses are a classic choice for anniversaries. Red roses symbolize deep love, while white roses signify purity and everlasting love. Yellow roses represent friendship and joy, and pink roses convey admiration and gratitude.

Lilies: These elegant flowers symbolize purity and refined beauty. White lilies are often associated with virtue, while pink lilies denote prosperity and abundance.

Orchids: Exotic and delicate, orchids symbolize luxury, strength, and beauty. They are perfect for a partner who appreciates sophistication and uniqueness.

Tulips: These cheerful flowers represent perfect love. Red tulips are associated with true love, while yellow tulips convey cheerful thoughts. Purple tulips are linked to royalty, and white tulips represent forgiveness.

Carnations: Known for their long-lasting nature, carnations symbolize love and fascination. Red carnations denote deep love, white carnations symbolize pure love, and pink carnations are associated with a mother's undying love.

Understanding these meanings can help you choose flowers that not only appeal to your partner's preferences but also convey the right message.

2. Consider Your Partner’s Favorite Flowers

The most straightforward way to ensure your partner loves the anniversary flowers is by choosing their favorites. Pay attention to the flowers they admire or mention in conversations. You might recall moments when they were particularly taken by a certain type of flower, either during a walk in the park, a visit to a botanical garden, or even when receiving flowers on previous occasions.

If you’re unsure, consider subtly asking them about their favorite flowers or noticing the types of flowers they have in their garden or home. Their favorite flowers will show that you pay attention to their likes and preferences, making the gift even more meaningful.

3. Match the Flowers to Your Partner’s Personality

Another approach is to choose flowers that align with your partner’s personality. Here are some suggestions based on different personality traits:

Romantic and Passionate: For a partner who is deeply romantic and passionate, red roses or red tulips are the perfect choice. These flowers symbolize intense love and admiration, reflecting their passionate nature.

Elegant and Sophisticated: If your partner has a taste for the finer things in life, consider giving them orchids or lilies. These flowers exude elegance and sophistication, making them ideal for someone who appreciates luxury and beauty.

Cheerful and Energetic: For a partner who is always cheerful and full of energy, bright and vibrant flowers like sunflowers or gerbera daisies can capture their lively spirit. These flowers are sure to bring a smile to their face.

Nature Lover: If your partner loves spending time in nature, consider wildflowers or a mixed bouquet of seasonal flowers. These flowers can evoke the beauty of the natural world they adore.

Traditional and Sentimental: For a partner who values tradition and sentiment, classic choices like carnations or violets can be very meaningful. These flowers have a rich history and are often associated with deep emotional connections.

4. Consider the Color Preferences

Color plays a significant role in choosing the right flowers. Your partner’s favorite colors can guide you in selecting flowers that will delight them. Here’s a quick guide to what different flower colors signify:

Red: Passion, love, and desire.

White: Purity, innocence, and reverence.

Yellow: Joy, friendship, and new beginnings.

Pink: Admiration, sweetness, and gratitude.

Purple: Royalty, success, and admiration.

Blue: Calmness, serenity, and trust.

By matching the flowers to your partner’s favorite colors, you add a personal touch that makes the gift even more special.

5. The Significance of the Anniversary Year

Certain flowers are traditionally associated with specific anniversary years. Incorporating these traditional flowers can add a layer of historical significance to your gift. Here are a few examples:

1st Anniversary: Carnations symbolize young and passionate love.

5th Anniversary: Daisies represent fidelity and everlasting love.

10th Anniversary: Daffodils signify joy and happiness.

15th Anniversary: Roses, especially red ones, symbolize deep and lasting love.

20th Anniversary: Aster flowers represent wisdom and good fortune.

25th Anniversary: Iris flowers symbolize faith and hope.

50th Anniversary: Yellow roses and violets represent the strength and beauty of a long-lasting relationship.

Incorporating the traditional flower of the year can make the anniversary celebration even more meaningful and memorable.

6. Combining Flowers with Thoughtful Gestures

While flowers themselves are a beautiful gift, combining them with thoughtful gestures can make the occasion even more special. Consider pairing the flowers with a heartfelt letter or a poem expressing your love and appreciation. You could also plan a romantic dinner or an activity that your partner loves.

Another idea is to create a personalized bouquet. You can mix different types of flowers that symbolize different aspects of your relationship, creating a unique and meaningful arrangement. For example, combining red roses for passion, white lilies for purity, and pink carnations for admiration can convey a complex message of your love.

7. Practical Considerations

When choosing flowers, it’s also important to consider practical aspects such as the season and availability of certain flowers. Some flowers may be difficult to find or more expensive out of season. Additionally, consider any allergies your partner might have. If your partner is allergic to pollen, opting for hypoallergenic flowers such as orchids or roses can be a thoughtful choice.

Furthermore, think about the longevity of the flowers. If you want the flowers to last longer, choose hardy varieties like carnations or chrysanthemums, which can stay fresh for a longer period.

8. The Presentation

The way you present the flowers can enhance the overall impact of your gift. A beautifully arranged bouquet in your partner’s favorite colors and flowers, perhaps delivered in a stylish vase, can make a significant impression. You can also add personal touches such as a ribbon in their favorite color or a handwritten note.

For a more elaborate presentation, consider surprising your partner with flowers in a special location. This could be where you first met, had your first date, or another meaningful place in your relationship.

Conclusion

Choosing the right flowers for your anniversary based on your partner's preferences is a thoughtful and loving gesture that can make the occasion truly special. By understanding the symbolism of flowers, considering your partner’s favorite flowers and colors, matching the flowers to their personality, and incorporating traditional anniversary flowers, you can create a memorable and meaningful gift. Don’t forget to add personal touches and thoughtful gestures to enhance the impact of your floral gift. With these tips, you can ensure that your anniversary celebration is filled with love, joy, and beautiful flowers that reflect the unique bond you share with your partner.

[storytime-with-moth]

Writing part of my ATLA Soulflower Prompt - take what you like and make it into your own!

Feel free to take what you like from this and change whatever you like to make it work. There are lots of different ways to interpret flowers and how the characters were feeling. Send me any fan art or fanfic from this if you use it, no credit needed I just want to admire it! Feel free to just use placements of the flowers too! No meanings needed, I just like the idea of Sokka really only nicking his hands and covering up the flowers on his arms with wraps until he can’t hide it anymore when his face is marked.

MOSTLY JUST ZUKKA 

Notes: There could also be lot’s of fun angst and miscommunication because Sokka knows when he first sees Zuko, but Zuko shouldn’t notice until he shows up at the Western Air Temple saying “Zuko here” and that way his decision to leave the Fire Nation is entirely based on his own character growth, for which he is rewarded with finally being worthy of his soulmate. (there will be growing pains between the boys)

But of course the whole time Sokka just thinks Zuko is a jerk who would ignore his own soulmate so callously which is why he tried to move on with Yue and Suki.

For this cannon divergence Sokka has always known that being Bi is fine and discovered his own bisexuality on the road when he is presented with boys his age for the first time as well as girls that aren’t his sister. And our dear Zuko is gay and him and Mai use each other as beards when he goes back to the Fire Nation. (Mai/Ty Lee but they have to keep it on the down low)

Here it goes….

When Sokka was 8 he got a fish hook stuck in his thumb, and of course it had to be a stupid barbed hook that stuck steadfast in his hand. Being the bright you man he was he thought he could leverage the hook out with another small blade. And that was how he ended his evening hugging his Mum and lamenting over the two sore holes in his thumb. Kya brushed through his hair with her hands and whispered stories of his Dad doing the same thing when he was young.

Sokka turned around and held his Mother’s hand in his turning it over gently, there in between her fingers rested a small pink blossom of Balsamine.

“What does this one mean Mum?”

Kya smiled softly at her son “Impatience my little arctic dove…. You are so much like your father I bet your soulmate is looking at two of the same flower on their thumb right now.”

Sokka looked back at his thumb with reverence. “You think they’ll like me?”

“I know they will, the spirits don’t make mistakes.”

In that moment miles away a young prince sat next to a small candle holding his hand up mesmerized by the two pink flowers on his thumb.

“Hello.”

_______________________

When Kya passed, Sokka silently stacked the rocks making her burial site with the rest of his family, his hand slipped on his own tears and ice slicing his palm open in the process. He couldn’t be bothered to care. He just wrapped more cloth around it and continued with his silent vigil of burying his mother.

That night Prince Zuko would be found pouring over a soul flower book looking for the deep crimson flower on his palm.

“The Dark Crimson Rose: Can have two interpretations. One is about sadness and mourning and death. The second, has a more joyous meaning - rebirth and love.  When someone your soulmate care about passes away, the dark crimson rose can express their feelings of mourning and sadness.”

Zuko held his hand close to himself and whisper softly “I’m sorry.”

—————————————

Years later Sokka woke up screaming and clutching his face, his face felt like it was on fire. Worse than any soul pain before, worse than any pervious flower burning into his hand or arm, this was agony.

He didn’t speak for days, too much pain and anguish plagued his 12 year old body. His eye was fuzzy for days and it took weeks for him to regain his balance enough to be trusted in a canoe with his dad.

What never left however were the purple hyacinth’s scattered around his left eye and cheek. He asked his Dad what they mean’t, but he just shook his head looking sad.

“I’m not sure son. I have never seen flowers like that before and so much of our history has been lost I’m not sure anyone left knows much about every flower.”

Sokka hung his head and left the room. Not before Hakoda whispered to himself “Your mother would have known.”

___________________________

After a childhood spent running away from Azula’s flames and then his Father’s, he was grateful that his soulmate seemed to live a safe life only ever nicking their hands and forearms, more often than not they were so small and shallow the flowers would fade in a few months just like his soulmates scars.

There were a few flowers that stayed into his teens, the two pink flowers on his thumb, the red rose on his palm and a small cockscomb across the back of his hand, which he read symbolized affection, singularity, and silliness. He was fond of that one, Zuko liked to think his soulmate got that one playing with a friend and laughing like Ty Lee does when Mai tries to do a handstand.

He hoped that when he met his soulmate they would forgive him for the unfortunate number and placement of flowers they would have. The burn across his face was likely to never heal completely meaning that not only had his father marked him for life, they marked his soulmate too.

_______________________

Zuko noticed that once he started in earnest to chase the Avatar more and more soul flowers would pop up on his hands, knees, and every once in a while across his cheek or on the back of his head. Most of them faded after a few weeks, but their appearance still made his heart lurch a little.

Why were they suddenly in so much danger? Why did all the flowers mean bravery and courage? Who were they fighting?

He had figured out a while ago that his soulmate must be a boy, because he never found any interest in the girls around him. Plus the scars had to come from someone who worked with their hands hunting, fishing, practising with blades. Only that could account for all the small nicks he saw over the years. So his soulmate was a warrior.

He secretly hoped that he wasn’t fighting against his soulmate, that would be awful.  

______________________

When Aang burned Katara his hands were suddenly covered in burning lavender sprigs, he wept as Sokka yelled at him and Katara’s shriek repeated in his mind.

Eventually the burning stopped and he looked down at his hands, they were clear, not a lavender in sight.

But he knew what the appearance of the flowers meant, Katara was his soulmate and he had hurt her.

Before running from the camp he asked Jeong Jeong what lavender meant.

“It means distrust young Avatar.”

That night Aang vowed to never fire bend again, he couldn’t risk losing her faith.

_______________________

While at the Northern Air Temple Sokka scoured the mechanist’s library for a book on soul flowers, he couldn’t stand knowing who his idiot jerk of a soulmate was without knowing what the flowers meant. Probably evil or cruelty or something Jerk worthy.

"The Purple Hyacinth: Can be interpreted as your soulmates Sorrow, often the words “I am sorry. Please forgive me.” Were said when the soul flower appears.”

Sokka sat heavily on the floor, the new information swirling around his mind. Zuko was begging for forgiveness when someone burned his face. A child was asking for forgiveness and someone decided to burn him instead.

He swallowed a lump in his throat.

Okay yes Zuko was a jerk. A jerk who through him into the snow when they first met and has since chased them around the world throwing fire at them. So a bad guy, AND a jerk for not even mentioning the obvious flowers across Sokka’s face that matched his own scar.

But no deserved that. Especially if they were saying they were sorry, and it was obvious by the flowers on his own face that Zuko had truly meant his sorrow.

Still his enemy though, so he couldn’t think on it for too long. And he couldn’t tell his friends what they truly meant.

_____________________________

Only a week later Sokka woke up with a start thinking he had fallen off of Appa and hit the ground. His body ached and burned and for a moment he worried over the angry Prince.

In the morning the sharp pains had eased to be a dull ache and the snapdragons scattered across his body faded, the closer they got to the Northern Water Tribe.

Once they arrived one of the elders noted the snapdragon across his cheek and complimented him on his soulmates grace under pressure and inner strength in trying circumstances.

He wondered what Zuko could have done to earn those.

_____________________________

Sokka meeting Yue - falls into the canal hurts himself - Zuko gets a Daffodil - regard, respect, chivalry, unrequited love, symbolic for the power of inner beauty

When Sokka loses Yue he gets hurt in the same spot and so covering the Daffodil on Zuko is a White tulip - forgiveness, lost love

_______________________

Aang in the catacombs gets struck by lightning  - White Lotus flower on Katara - purity, enlightenment, self regeneration and rebirth - he let go of Katara and reached the full avatar state

Maybe the one on his foot could be different? A secondary emotion

_______________________

Zuko final Agni Kai taking the lighting for Katara - Sokka gets a White rose - I am worthy of you OR Pink carnation - I will never forget you OR Purple columbine - resolution OR Edlweiss - courage devotion (lot’s to pick from)

______________________

One day when they get married they prick each others thumbs (like hand fasting) to show the whole world the true intent of their marriage.

On Zuko’s thumb (meaning Sokka’s intention) - Camellia blue - you are the flame in my heart

On Sokka’s thumb (meaning Zuko’s intention) - Violet purple - you occupy my thoughts, blue love

_________________________

[cobradoesmcyt]

Black Rose (3/4)

Here comes part 3! Filed with “Death, forgiveness and rebirth”!

Bdubs walked into Idea's warehouse at a leisurely pace, Keralis just a few steps behind him. They had just finished a wonderful breakfast, made my Keralis with the help of Grian's big garden, and they couldn’t be any more confident. They'd ask Xisuma now, because if they delayed it nothing good would happen.

Sharing one last look they walked in, happily greeting Xisuma as they entered. They still don't know if the admin was a part of the Grian was like this, but they mostly lived by the "Innocent until proven guilty" thing so they had no reason to not be nice to him.

"Hi guys! Are you ready for today?" Asked Xisuma, a smile hiding under his helmet as he talked to his two friends.

"Actually, can we ask you something before we start?"

X looked at them curiously, but nodded his head non the less.

"Is what Iskall talked about when he went to new Hermitville really true?" Questioned Bdubs, he hoped that his lying skills were good enough to fool the admin, if not they'd be in a lot of trouble moral vise.

"What exactly was he talking about?" Asked Xisuma calmly, if not a bit stiffly.

"Grian, and how he disappeared two weeks ago and something about wither roses." Said Keralis flippantly, pretending that he didn't really care to remember.

"Ah, that," bit out X, fingers tapping together anxiously, "Yes it's true, we still haven't been able to find him."

"You'll find him eventually!" Said Bdubs faux happily, swinging an arm around his friend's shoulder, "Any idea why he ran away though? Maybe we know places he could be if we know his motives?"

Xisuma looked away from the two of them, guilt shining in his eyes. They deserved to know, he just didn't want to admit that he'd failed one of the people on his server so much that they ran away. But with one glance at Bdubs' curious eyes and Keralis' encouraging smile (both of which were actually mostly true, and not fake) he broke, "I don't know exactly why, but from what I've gathered from Iskall and Ren, the two people who have put themselves fully into finding Grian and apologizing, we poked fun at him without checking to make sure he was ok with it. There's a lot more stuff to probably, but that's the thing we are the most sure about."

The two nodded along to what he was saying, knowing that his words were true (you know, since they live with Grian now and all that). "But why did you wait two weeks to start looking?" Asked Keralis, the daunting question finally being asked.

"We didn't know he was missing until two nights ago when Iskall told us at the server meeting."

They hadn't been at that server meeting since Bdubs had been sick and both Grian and Keralis wanted to stay and make sure he recovered without a hitch, which he did. And Bdubs was thankful he hadn't gone, he would have probably punched Iskall if he'd said that in front of him.

Whilst X had been talking Bdubs had been secretly talking to Grian, telling the short man what was being said and how the admin was talking. After that last tidbit of information he sent Grian a text asking "Do you want to see X? Because we can bring him right now if your ok with it, he's really shaken about all of this"

A yes from Grian arrived a few moments later. Now he just had to get X to New Hermitville, which is actually the easiest part yet it seemed, because all they had to do was say that they had something important for him in the village and he followed along.

As they approached the gates Bdubs saw a badge with a wither rose attached to it. He walked over and detached it before quickly jogging back and handing it to Xisuma. The Void looked from the badge to him with confusion.

"You'll understand soon." Winked Bdubs, leading the admin towards Grian's little house which resides at the outskirts of the village.

They walked up to the house, but instead entering the wood building they walked around the house to the back. Xisuma was confused as to what could possibly be at the back, what was it that they even had to show him? Just as he was about to ask he turned the corner and froze.

They had just entered a garden filled with yellow, pink and blue flowers, there was also two cats and a dog resting on a grass patch near the back door. But that wasn't what made him freeze, it was instead the person in said garden.

Grian stood facing them, a small unsure smile on his face. He was gently holding a spring crocus in his hands, "Hi X."

"Grian?" Breathed the admin in shock, "You've been here all this time? And what happened to your face, and clothes too?"

"Sit down Xisuma, we have a lot to talk about."

And so Grian explained everything to him, about his feelings, the Hermit’s actions and his time with Bdubs and Keralis. By the end X wanted nothing more than to hug the small man in front of him, "Oh god Grian, we didn't realize. God-I'm so sorry!"

The violet eyed man observed the admin for a while, eyes narrowed in thought. He eventually gave a nod and walked up and gave the flower in his hands to Xisuma, "This is my answer."

X took the flower gently, not wanting to harm it and get Grian mad at him, "Uh, not to be rude-but how is this your answer?"

The dirty blond giggled at the question, "It's a spring crocus. It isn't just a pretty flower, it has a meaning. That meaning is my answer to your requests for forgiveness."

Xisuma seemed to hold the white and purple even more gently in his arms at that, as if it was the most precious thing in the universe. And at this moment, that was kind of true.

He looked up at Grian with thankful eyes, hoping that his expression could be seen through his visor, "Thank you. Is it ok if I come back tomorrow? That should give me enough time to look up the meaning of it."

"You can," said Grian, giving the admin a small smile, "It was good to see you X, have a good day." And then he walked back into his house, dog and cats following him back in.

Bdubs patted his admin friend on the back, "Was this important enough?" X could do nothing more than nod, unable to form words, "Good. Now do you want to go back and have the meeting, or do you want to look into the flower immediately?"

"I think we can skip a meeting." Said the helmet wearing Hermit, eyes not leaving the flower in his hands. He was about to walk away when he remembered the badge he was given, he took it out and showed it to the other two Idea members, "Hey, what's with this?"

Bdubs didn't even have to look to know what he was talking about, "It's Grian's crest. He chose it because what was cooler to have as a symbol then the thing that almost was your demise?"

Xisuma clutched the badge in his hand, the black painted metal heavy in his hand with meaning. He left for his base soon after that.

As soon as he left Keralis and Bdubs walked into Grian's house. Said man was sitting at the table, playing with the same badge that Xisuma now has. He put down the metal object once they got in and offered the two a smile.

"I'm curious, what did that flower mean?" Asked Keralis, arms crossed over the table.

"It represents our heart or soul, which blooms when someone we love forgives us. This is me forgiving him, because he hasn't done anything to me directly except forget to ask if I was ok with the few jokes he made." Answered Grian softly, fingers moving to trace the petals of the lotus flower in the bowl of water on the table.

"That's nice. Is he the only one who's forgiven? Or is there anyone else who also is?"

Grian continued to gently caress the pastel pink petals of the lotus as he answered Keralis, "Ren is also forgiven, he never made a lot of the jokes. Python and TFC are also forgiven, but I'm not as close to those two as I am with Re."

"Re?" Asked Bdubs with an eyebrow raised, smile playing at his lips. 

"It's a little joke between me and Ren," smiled Grian, "He's Re and I'm Ri, I don't know why it stuck, but it did."

"Oh, that's so sweet!" Cooed Bdubs, the rave head grinning all the while, "So how are you telling the other four?"

The dirty blond stopped tracing the petals, his hand instead moving to tap on the polished wood of the spruce table, "I'll send letters to TFC and Python, with flowers included of course. And I'll invite Ren down here to talk."

"Sounds like a great idea!" Grinned Bdubs, "Now can you come help me pick out some new flowers for the castle? It's looking a bit too copper and white for me."

"Sure!" Chirped the dirty blond florist, "Just tell me what you feel you're looking for and I'll give you what you need!"

And like that everything went back to normal. Of course nothing was ever normal here, but the peace was back at least. And soon would many friendships also be back, or at least be on the mend.

[puckyou-forpuckssake]

White Violets—M. Barzal

Message me to request an imagine. This one was not requested but a huge thanks to @hockey-yesplease for the idea of using Mat Barzal. No warning for this. If you guys have any ideas, please make a request, even if it’s just a player you want to see here! Check my blog for master list or search for more in blog with #hockeyimagine

Flowers were your passion. Business was your major. Thus the birth of Secret Garden of Brooklyn. It was still a small start up business. You had a few regular customers though. Today, however, was Tuesday, and Tuesdays were always slow.

You sat behind the counter, flipping through a catalog of vases, when the bell tinkled to signal a customer’s entrance. The boy was young. Probably needs something for his girlfriend, you thought. “I need flowers,” he said in a hurry.

“It’s a good thing you came to a flower shop then,” you replied without even thinking. The guy was probably going to leave now.

Instead, he cracked a grin. “I deserve that. I need flowers that say ‘I’m sorry I ate your cheesecake and let Breaker break his arm trying to be Superman. Please don’t kick me out.’”

“Your girlfriend must not be happy with you.”

The boy shrugged. “I have no idea if she is or not considering I don’t have one. I do, however, have a 6’1, 210 lb defenseman upset that his kid broke his arm under my watch. His wife can also get very scary too.”

You nodded and began grabbing flowers to put an arrangement together. He watched you in awe. “It seems like you’re just grabbing random flowers, but I feel like there is a method to your madness.”

You chuckled. “Flowers actually have meanings. It’s something I’ve always admired. So when I make bouquets, each one has a special meaning.”

“That’s really cool.”

“It can be challenging at times. Flowers have lots of meanings, and depending on where you check can give you different meanings,” you explained.

“Can you explain this bouquet to me?”

You nodded. “The yellow roses represent friendship. I gathered from your story that you are friends with these people. Just make sure they know it means friendship and joy. A yellow rose can also represent infidelity. The purple hyacinth symbolizes asking for forgiveness. Hyacinths in general also represent play and sport. Those really light purple, small flowers are raspberry blossom, and they represent regret and remorse. The white tulips also represent forgiveness.

“I know it may seem odd with all these flowers together, and in this line of business beauty if supposed to be everything. I always see it as the thought and meaning of it counts.”

“That’s beautiful.” You had no idea if he meant the bouquet or your words. He paid and grabbed the bouquet. “You’ve got a nice place here. I’ll have to recommend you.”

—————————————————————

It was a week and a half later when you saw the boy again. “I need flowers again.”

“How did the bouquet go?”

“Rebecca loved it, and Dennis was impressed that flowers have meanings and I could remember them. I need flowers that say ‘Congratulations on the new deal. Let’s kick ass together on ice.’”

You chuckled as you started pulling different flowers. “I can do congratulations, but I’m not sure how to get kick ass to translate. That might be a job for yourself.”

“Mat,” the guy said suddenly. “My name is Mat.”

“I’m Y/N,” you introduced. “So you want the meanings of these flowers?”

“Yes. I think Tito will find it funny if I actually know this stuff.”

“The yellow poppies mean success and wealth. Apple blossoms mean hope and good fortune. The goldenrod suggests success, good fortune, and encouragement. I put some general hyacinths in here too because—“

“It means games and sports!” Mat shouted. He did a little fist pump for remembering, causing you to giggle at his excitement.

“Very good, Mat. These lilies are Casablanca ones. They represent celebration. The yellow roses, which you may remember, mean friendship, but they also represent achievement.”

Mat smiled as he grabbed the bouquet and paid. “Thank you, Y/N. I’m definitely recommending this place.”

You smiled. “I’d appreciate that a lot, Mat.”

—————————————————————

It had been a month since Mat had last been in. He must have kept his promise because your sales went up after his last visit. You even met Dennis, the guy who lets Mat live in his basement. You learned from him that they played for the Islanders. By now you had met most of the team and the organization staff from all their visits to your shop. You even had to hire a couple extra workers because of the business increase.

Business was slow the current morning, which was fine with you. Sometimes you liked the slowdown. “Hey, Y/N,” you looked up to see Mat.

“Mat!” You cheered. “It’s been a while. I was hoping you’d stop by sometime. I really want to thank you for bringing me business.”

Mat blushed. “It was nothing. So since you aware of what I do, then this will make it less awkward. This weekend is mothers’ weekend for the Islanders. The guys and I talked and we wanted to order bouquets from you for them.”

You nodded and grabbed a pad of paper. “How many and when?”

Mat counted on his hands. “26. We decided Sunday would be good. It’ll be a home game and the end to their trip. Is that enough time for that much?”

You nodded. “They won’t be big and extravagant.”

Mat grinned. “That’s fine. It’s the meaning that counts. Any ideas on the flowers?”

“You really want to know?”

“Yes! I like this whole meaning thing.”

You nodded and thought for a moment. “White periwinkles for delightful memories. The pink rose is for gratitude and thanks. A cactus symbolizes maternal affection and love; however, I will put the flower of cactus in substitute. The pink carnations symbolize woman’s love. Purple tulips mean royalty, which mothers are. Coltsfoot means maternal care.”

“That sounds beautiful,” Mat commented. “Everyone’s going to love them.”

—————————————————————

It had only been a couple days since the delivery to the Islanders, and all you could think of was how it went and if Mat liked it, even if it was the moms. It had been awhile since someone had appreciated what you do, and Mat seemed to love what you do.

Off in your own world, you didn’t hear the door open and the man in question enter. He coughed to get your attention. “Mat!”

“Hi, Y/N.”

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon. Did the mothers like the flowers?”

He nodded eagerly. “Everyone loved them,” He pulled out a card from his coat. “This is for you from everyone. I also need one more bouquet.”

“What’s the occasion?”

Mat shook his head and pulled out another piece of paper. “I already know the flowers I need.”

You nodded and got ready to find the flowers. Mat’s hands shook as he glanced down at the paper and took a deep breath. “Phlox for sweet dreams and to say I’m trying to please you. Saxifrage for affection. White camellias for the lovable and adorable and pink ones for strong desire. Sweet William so I can be granted a smile. Red tulips to declare my love, and red carnations symbolizing admiration. Forget-me-nots for true love, hope, and memories. Gardenias for secret admiration and love. Daylilies for flirtation. Love at first sight represented by a lavender rose. Blue bells for gratitude, appreciation, and never ending love.”

Mat watched you run around looking for flowers. “You must be in deep,” you said as you put the piece together. “There’s a lot of love and affection in this bouquet.”

Mat nodded. “Good. That’s what I want.”

You finished up the bouquet and passed to to Mat. He looked at it before setting it down. “You put a lot of work into this,” he whispered.

You nodded. “You’re my favorite customer honestly. You deserve this. Good luck with the girl...or guy.”

“Girl,” Mat reaffirmed. He started walking towards the door without the flowers.

“Mat! Your flowers!” Mat stopped. “What’s this girl going to think of you ask her out and forget these?”

“She’s already holding them,” Mat answered. You stopped and stared at the bouquet in your hand. “I honestly didn’t know how to do this. Will you go on a date with me, Y/N?”

You set the bouquet down and grabbed a handful of white violets. “Let’s take a chance,” Mat said staring at the flowers. “I’m going to take this as a yes.”

You put the bouquet in an empty vase. “This is one of my favorite bouquets I’ve ever made. And to think, I thought you were going to give this to another girl.”

Mat laughed. “You’re the only girl I’d ever give these flowers to.”

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For flower meanings I used https://gardenerdy.com/list-of-flowers-their-meanings

[cactusnotes]

Christian Festivals

Christmas remembers the birth of Jesus, with the build up in Advent, and Easter remembers the events of Holy week, with the Lenten season preceding it in preparation. It faces different beliefs and practices depending on if it is from the Orthodox church, or Eastern Church. One key difference is in terms of the calendar, with the Easter Church being based on a lunar calendar, and the West on the Gregorian Calendar. 

Christmas in the West, first. It is based around the Pagan Saturnalia festivals. Advent is the 40 days preparation. Adventus means coming, and is a time to reflect on both Jesus’ birth, and his second coming: ‘Paraousia’. They are reflected in colours, violet for the most part, bar rose on Gaudete Sunday. Each week has a different theme: hope, prophets, rejoice, annunciation (the angel candle) and finally Christ, on Christmas. One may have an advent calendar to count down, set up Christmas decorations, potentially fast, face penitence. From 17 to 23 December, the ‘Great Advent O Antiphons may be sung at mass, combined to form ‘Oh Come, O Come, Emmanuel’. 

On Christmas Day, carol services and nativity plays are popular, to bring alive the date, some have Plygain services in Wales at midnight. Some will have Christingle orange, there are three Eucharists, and lots of gift giving. It therefore differs with the Eastern Church in terms of the focus on advent (four verses two), the date, and the Christmas service (carols and nativities compared to several liturgies and strict services). However, they align in terms of the focus on the incarnation of Christ. 

In the Eastern Church, Advent is a time of fasting and going vegan. The second Sunday before Christmas is the Sunday of the Forefathers, celebrating the prophets, while the Sunday before Christmas is the Sunday of the Fathers, celebrating his direct ancestors. There is no focus on Parousia and red vestments are worn. On Christmas day--6th or 7th January based on the Julian calendar--and is named Theophany and Epiphany, and is an opportunity to celebrate eternal salvation, the nativity, adoration of the Shepherds/Magi and the baptism of Christ. 

The eve service is long, beautiful, and has ‘solemn singing’. There is strict fasting, they have the ‘Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great’, Vespers (bible readings), the Hours (psalms) and Matins (‘Christ is born’ is first sung), and then the Joyful, Divine liturgy at midnight. They then visit each other’s houses, sing carols, but no gifts. They start with the salutation ‘Christ is Born’ and the response is ‘praise you him’. Then, a festive meal on white linen, reflecting the cloth in which Jesus was born, and maybe even straw, and a reflection, Christ’s birth means Christ’s death. Some will even walk to rivers and seas to make holes in any ice, to then bless the water.

The date of Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon or after vernal equinox, which is March 21 for the West, and therefore predictable. For the Orthodoc Church, it is based on astronomy and therefore cannot be calculated much in advance, and it always falls after Jewish Passover, also based on the astronomy of the moon, while in the West, Easter may fall before Passover. In common, the day is the most holy in the whole year, and both focus on the resurrection of Christ, however there are differences in the liturgical practice and more diversity in the West. 

In the West, Lent is a memorial of Jesus’ 40 day fast, leading to 40 days of abstinence, starting with Ash Wednesday, where there’s no meat, purple vestments, a cross on the forehead of last year’s psalms, has the chant ‘Repent, and believe in the Gospel’. During Lent, people receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, pray both in groups and alone, do works of mercy and charity, and see the stations of the cross. Church decorations are put up: flowers, statues in purple cloth, no alleluias. The fourth Sunday of Lent is Laetere Sunday, where all wear pink, and is rejoice Sunday. Fifth Sunday is Passion Sunday, with the whole of the passion being read. 

Sixth Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of holy week, palm bought and used in Church. Maundy Thursday was when there was the washing of the feet, and people watch the host overnight. Good Friday brings the veneration of the cross at 3pm, so there is strict fast, liturgy, people kiss the cross, and there is no Eucharist. Holy Saturday has no mass, and the church is bare. Easter Sunday has three Eucharists at midnight, dawn and day, and everyone wears white vestments. A charcoal fire is lit, the church is dark, the Paschal candle is lit to the cry “The Light of Christ”. Inside, the mass is lit entirely by candles. The Story of Salvation is read aloud. The Triduum is the three days of holiness, from Thursday to Saturday. In the Lutheran Church, Tenebrae liturgy can occur. 

The Eastern Orthodox Church’s Lent is the ‘Triodion season’, split into three parts, focused on repentance, with the colour being black. The key question is ‘are we willing to turn to Him?’ The Pre-Lenten season is three weeks before Lent, focused on humility. The prodigal son parable was read out, there is a meatfare sunday, final day to eat meat, the Sunday of Last Judgement. Cheesefare Sunday is the Sunday of Forgiveness. Great Lent is Lent itself, a time of spiritual preparation, going vegan, prayer, starting on Clean Monday, where it is full fasting. The second week is dedicated to St. Gregory of Palamas, the third and fourth week are for the veneration of the cross, the fifth week is the veneration of Mary (theotokos, Akathist Saturday) and the sixth week has Vespers Friday and Lazarus Saturday, Lazarus reflecting Jesus’ resurrection. 

Holy Pascha is Holy Week/’Bright Week’ and Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday has blessings of palms in the modern, the other days are ‘Holy and Great’, so HaG Monday is to remember Joseph and his coat, HaG Tuesday remembers the ten virgins who came prepared with oil to meet Jesus. HaG Wednesday remembers Jesus being anointed at Bethany. HaG Thursday is in memory of the mystical supper or the Eucharist. Friday is Jesus’ passion, strict fasting, three solemn services, like lamentations, and in the evening there is the lamentation of Mary over her son. The Epitaphios cloth represents Jesus’ burial, and it’s placed on the altar, sprinkled with holy water and rose petals. 

Saturday is when Jesus is buried and descends to hell, resulting in strict fast. The day starts off as black and sorrowful, and half way through, the Gospel is brought out, the day turns white, joyful, fresh bay leaves are sprinkled across the Church, as a symbol of Jesus’ victory. The good news of his resurrection is proclaimed during the Paschal Vigil. This is at midnight, with the candle brought in, and there is Easter Matins, Easter Hours and Easter Divine Liturgy, then there’s blessing of the Paschal eggs, dyed red like Jesus’ blood, Agape Vespers being sung and ‘Christ is Risen’ is said.