A lip or tu

I woke up from my *lovely* Sunday nap to these beauties.

(yes, flowers for the day before Valentine's Day, because I asked to not receive flowers on Valentine's Day this year)

Tulips, of course!  There's a story behind them.  You see, when I first entered Young Women, we had a new beginnings program in which the parents of every new beehive were to share a flower that reminds them of their daughter.  Most of the flowers chosen were extremely heartfelt and sentimental.  One friend received a rose from her parents because of her exquisite beauty inside and out.  Another, a lily for similar reasons and virtue and grace.  Perhaps a daisy because of how much sunshine 'she' brought into the lives of others.

For me, my mother chose tulips.  Why?  To remind me to always keep my "two-lips" clean and pure.  Apparently I wasn't excessively dainty, exquisite, beautiful, virtuous, or graceful, because my mother basically called me the biggest flirt alive, right in front of everyone.  If you know my mother, she's a jokester, so I would never have put this past her, however, I realized while she was talking (and she even said) that she had no idea she was to choose a flower that really "fit" me as a person, but rather, just choose a flower for me period.  She figured most girls would receive a rose (as most did) and wanted me to be a little different.  As is her way, she was able to create a very effective teaching moment through her humor, and it has certainly stuck with me.

Continuing through the years, the tulip became my favorite flower for more reasons than just this anecdote implies.  Not only can I realize the magnificent beauty of this flower, but I also realize something priceless.  These flowers stay open and REACH toward the sun.  I hope I can do that--always remain stretched toward the Son.

Now, I also realize that the tulip tends to describe me a bit as a PERSON.  This blog may say it best, "You think that when you see a tulip wrapped tight, just admiring the outside of it, you’ve seen the best that tulip has to offer.  After all, when you think of tulips, you think of them with their petals closed.  I was thrilled when this purple beauty opened to show there is always more beauty on the inside.  Same is true with most every person I know."

What a great reminder for me, and for everyone, I suppose.  You can find true beauty deep within people, and yourself, as you and they open up to show it.  Now, I'm just grateful that my husband can share in my love for tulips as well.  You see, although he often can't remember my birthday, or my middle name for that matter, he does and will always remember that tulips are my favorite flower of them all.  So, I guess my mother continues to make an impact in all the little facets of my life.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to the LOVES of my life!!

 And just because he's getting to be the biggest cheese ball...

 

What a dream...