Upon request, here is another entry toward completing this goal. I try to space out these entries as to make them more special, and not just jot down any silly thing. I want these to count, because this sweetheart man of mine means everything to me.

Without further delay – the story unfolds!

22. My sweetheart man did not give me pink panties, but instead gave me silk peonies for my birthday today!

I am a very lucky girl; I have a cherishing sweetheart man who has learned from past episodes of forgetfulness. He takes the occasions for celebration that matter to me as important events, and he marks them with modest presents. He covers his bases well; he will send a small gift to each location – home and work – so wherever I go, I will be gifted!

Today, my birthday, was no exception. I received my long-distance gift early this morning, at 12:02 AM to be exact. Then, I received another when I awoke after 07:00 AM, and I thought I would be done for a while. I was happily mistaken when a package arrived at my office.

This was a nondescript and tightly wrapped package from a well-known national florist company. I cringed in dread.

You see, I am highly allergic to flowers. I also have a sad tradition of getting a birthday cold, and this year is no exception. The last thing I needed was an allergic attack on top of a budding head cold, but, this was a gift that deserved my gratitude no matter how miserable it might make me.

I struggled with dull scissors to open the box and carefully unwrap its contents. All the while, I am frantically looking for a card and finding none. I’m also trying to hurry AND hold my breath, no small feat, through my congested and sniffling nose.

The package is unwrapped, the gift card is found, and the poem inside it alights my eyes and softens my heart. I then rest my eyes on this picture—my birthday peonies. They are pure silk, and there is even the illusion of a wave of clear water in the elegant crystal vase. They are beautiful to view and safe to breathe, yay on both counts!

I am delighted!

Unfortunately, I also have to compose myself for an upcoming meeting.

Fortunately, it is my birthday and I also have bragging rights!

I tell one of my male coworkers on the telephone, through my slightly congested nose, that my sweetheart man got me pink peonies for my birthday. I describe that they are pure silk so I won’t be allergic, and how excited I am. He sounds totally nonplussed, so I repeat the details, embellishing as I go. He now seems withdrawn and uncomfortable, and my sensitive feelings are reeling.

What would be so offensive about flowers? Why, why, what?

I grope for an explanation, carefully.

I then hear him exhale loudly in relief.

Wheewwwwwww! You scared me, I didn’t know what to say. I thought you said your boyfriend got you pure silk panties in pink. Then you repeated it, and I didn’t know what to say—wow, that was UN-COM-fortable! he pronounces in separate syllables.

Apparently, I am also developing a regional twang with my cold, and add to the variable mix the speakerphone diffusion and we get …

pure silk panties from silk pink peonies!

_{I sent him a picture via email to clear up any future misunderstandings on this topic!}