From me, with love By: Aria de Lima A few years ago one of my friends gave me a call asking for suggestions on what to get his girlfriend for Valentine’s Day. He seemed rather
chocolates and flowers. I would have been thrilled
frustrated with the whole concept, questioning
to receive a gift like that. It was then that I
why we even celebrate this day. He began listing
realized the only thing that had changed was his
off pretty typical gift ideas with a level of
energy. He had gone from frustrated and trying to
aggression that was hard to ignore. Flowers that
just pick something, to genuinely feeling like what
are going to just die anyway, a stupid overpriced
he had picked would be something she would
stuffed animal, some crazy mini portioned dinner,
enjoy. The gift itself had stayed the same, it was
jewelry she’s never going to wear, you know, the
being given by the same person and received by
obvious go to list. I remember him saying
the same person but the energy that was being
something along the lines of, “Ugh I’ll just get her
used to select the gift had changed. The choice
some chocolates and flowers. I can’t think of
now felt thoughtful, one made out of joy instead of
anything good that’s in my budget.” This decision
obligation. That funny taste went away and it was
left a funny taste in my mouth. His tone, his word
like a weight had been lifted. He was excited to
choice, his energy, all seemed to say “I don’t
give her his gift. I’m sure she would have loved
care anymore and can’t be bothered to keep
the gift either way but the experience was
looking.” I simply was not satisfied and was
different for both of them because he was giving
determined to help him find the perfect gift. We
the gift with love.
continued to brainstorm but couldn’t come up with anything. After a while he said to me, “Why are we still looking? Are chocolates and flowers not good enough? She really likes chocolates and flowers.” However, immediately I felt a shift. This time, his tone was echoing concern as if to say “I thought she would really like it.” He was right; there was absolutely nothing wrong with
