My Own Roses

I stood second in line at the checkout counter, enjoying the quiet anonymity that comes with shopping alone, when the cashier and her customer caught my attention. Laughter poured out of them, as a brown haired woman rationalized the inordinate amount of chocolate being purchased. “It’s for my best friend.” She chuckled as she tucked away several more full sized bars.

Envious of her joy, I reached back and unabashedly pulled two bars off the shelf for myself (another perk of shopping alone). The cashier observed my last minute addition and asked, “Are those for your best friend? Maybe someone special?”

Caught, and with no reason to lie, I simply smiled and shook my head. “No, these are both just for me.” The brown haired woman looked over and smiled with her grocery bag full of treats. And with all the sincerity and innocence of a child on Christmas she said, “That’s ok, you are your best friend. Enjoy your chocolates!” and walked away.

The profundity of her casual statement stuck with me and moved me to more random acts of kindness and proclamations of self-love. And as I sit, single at my computer on the eve of Valentine’s Day, I wanted to release a small reminder that no matter your relationship status; you matter, you are loved, 

and you do not need any excuse to gift yourself

your own roses.