From the Editor’s Desk: Flowers Say More Than Words

Anybody who knows me, knows about my affinity for flowers. In fact, the chances they’ve personally received flowers from me are very high. Bouquets are the closest thing I have to a calling card. 

While I may be a writer — making it no secret I’ve got plenty to say — sometimes flowers say far more than words can. They offer both celebration and condolences. I tote them to birthday parties, funerals, housewarmings, graduations or someone’s door on a random Wednesday just for the sake of it. 

It’s rare to find my bedroom without flowers — usually lillies, which are my favorite, completely unrelated to me sharing a name with them. Even my 21st birthday party was a floral event where I sent my friends home each with a fresh bouquet they built themselves from a collection of stems laid out on my dining table. 

Each Feb. 14 and the days leading up to it, an average of more than 20% of Americans purchase flowers for their spouses, significant others, mothers and even — on occasion — for themselves. Valentine’s Day flower purchases account for around 30% of floral sales across all the major U.S. holidays, surpassing Christmas. 

It’s clear why. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of having a fresh bouquet on your desk, dining table or nightstand, sometimes lasting weeks after their initial purchase. 

Globally, more than 250 million long-stem roses are grown each year for the occasion. Roses make up more than 80% of the flowers sold for the holiday of love, with favorite colors being red, pink, white and yellow. 

Valentine’s Day or not, the flower section of the grocery store is my happy place. Don’t wait for a holiday to purchase flowers for yourself or someone you love. They always deserve to, well, get their flowers. 

There’s beauty in giving someone a gift that’s finite. Flowers don’t last forever, and they shouldn’t. They spend months growing into what they are just so they can show up at your door and remind you you’re loved. 

This week you can read about Loyola classics professors favorite love stories in Arts, check out The Phoenix’s Valentines Day grams in Opinion, read the latest Congressional Catch-Up in News and hear about the latest women’s basketball win in Sports.