When I was single, my girlfriends and I would collectively moan when Valentine’s Day rolled around.

Another year. Another reminder that we were still single.

I knew a few girls who took things to the next level and sent themselves flowers at work — delivered, no less — so their coworkers would assume there was a mysterious boyfriend somewhere in the background.

Extreme?

Maybe.

But also… kind of genius.

From Waiting to Celebrating

Once Steve and I became a couple, the tone shifted.

He’s a romantic and never forgot Valentine’s Day — always some thoughtful treat, flowers (this was before we knew better than to buy out-of-season flowers flown in internationally), and chocolate involved.

Back then, I didn’t yet understand what I now talk about all the time at our Cape May flower farm: seasonality matters. Supporting local flower farms and choosing fresh, in-season blooms is better for the environment, the farmer, and honestly? The flowers last longer and look better.

And then, when the kids were older, it got even sweeter.

Steve would take the boys with him and together they’d pick out Valentine’s treats for me and Kathryn.

Those years? Peak joy.

Sparking Joy (For Real)

Fast forward to the Marie Kondo era and the whole idea of “sparking joy” really stuck with me.

As you know, I’m a minimalist.

But even minimalists have treasured things.

Mine were tucked away in boxes, saved for “later,” because I was afraid they’d break.

After reading the book and watching the series, I pulled those pieces out and started using them every day.

And you know what?

They make me happy.

Every. Single. Day.

Treasured things aren’t meant to live in boxes.

They’re meant to be used.

The pretty dishes.
The special glassware.
The linen napkins still folded just so.

Use them now.

Buy Yourself the Flowers

Which brings me back to those girlfriends and their secret self-sent flowers.

Honestly?

They were onto something.

The only tweak I’d make is this: own it.

“I sent these to myself.”

Because the flowers made them happy.

And that’s reason enough.

So to all the single women (and honestly, anyone who needs to hear this), don’t wait for someone else to buy you Valentine’s flowers.

Don’t wait for a future version of your life to start enjoying beautiful things.

Start the tradition now.

Buy yourself the flowers.

At Seashore Flower Farm here in Cape May, NJ, our mini spring flower subscriptions are open now. You can choose:

  • Tulip subscriptions

  • Ranunculus subscriptions

  • Or both (if you’re fully leaning into your spark-joy era)

Each subscription includes four weeks of farm-fresh, seasonal bouquets — one bouquet per week — featuring locally grown tulips and ranunculus grown right here on our family flower farm.

At $40 per bouquet, these premium blooms rival (and often exceed) what you’d find at a traditional florist — and they’re fresher, more sustainable, and grown with care.

Fresh.
Local.
Seasonal.

A true slow-flowers Valentine’s gift — from you, to you.

Because Valentine’s Day doesn’t require a plus-one.

Just flowers you love.