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With her ex-husband Chad, birthdays were always a letdown, a reminder of how unimportant she was in the relationship. Every year, she had hoped he would surprise her with something special, but each time she was left disappointed. Instead of celebrating her special day, he would make her feel guilty for wanting any kind of attention. Until the divorce, Emma hadn’t realized just how much he had neglected her.
It was a stark contrast to the joy she felt now with Luke, who made her feel cherished and loved, every day. The mere thought of him made Emma smile from ear to ear. She couldn’t help but think about how lucky she was to have someone so wonderful in her life.
After she packed her bag, she locked the classroom door behind her and rushed down the hall to the teacher’s lounge. Emma’s hunger pangs were intense as she eagerly anticipated the delicious flavors of the hummus veggie wrap that awaited her in the fridge. Nearly there, it dawned on her she had never replied to the sweet message Luke had sent her last night. Today had been too hectic to do so, but now that she had a moment to herself, she would make sure to respond.
As Emma stepped into the teacher’s lounge, she noticed a commotion at a nearby table. Several teachers were huddled around something, their whispers growing louder as she approached.
Emma leaned forward slightly and tilted her head, a look of curiosity evident on her face. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, Emma, you sly thing! You didn’t tell us you had a secret admirer." one teacher said, playfully nudging her.
Emma felt her cheeks flush with confusion. She had no idea what they were talking about. As she approached the table, she saw a stunning bouquet of Gerbera daisies arranged in a vase, with a small white envelope with her name on it nestled amongst the blooms.
“Who’s it from, Emma?” one of them asked.
“My husband never buys me flowers,” another teacher complained, her tone slightly resentful.
Her heart racing, Emma picked up the envelope, the weight of it feeling heavy in her hands. As she tore open the envelope and pulled out the card, she read the words written inside with a mix of shock and delight.
Emma,
Nothing would make me happier than to celebrate you on your special day.
Happy Birthday!
I’ll see you tonight.
-Luke
Emma held the card to her chest, feeling a rush of emotions. She couldn’t believe that Luke had sent her flowers on her birthday. But how did he know? Her heart fluttered with excitement, and a smile spread across her face. She leaned in towards the bouquet and breathed in the sweet fragrance of the Gerbera daisies, closing her eyes and relishing the moment.
The other teachers looked at her expectantly. “So who are they from?” one of them pressed.
Emma quickly thought of a white lie, hoping to avoid any further questions. “Oh, they’re from my grandpa.”
The teachers looked disappointed, but Emma didn’t care. She was too happy to care what they thought. She turned back to the flowers and inhaled their sweet scent, feeling grateful for the thoughtful gesture.
As she reached for her wrap from the fridge, the physics teacher spoke up. “You’re just eating lunch now? It’s the end of the day.”
“I know, but I didn’t have time earlier. I held an impromptu prep session in my classroom during lunch.”
Emma’s colleague sneered before turning away from her. She knew some of the other teachers resented her for being an overachiever, but Emma found immense satisfaction in her job. It was more than just a means of earning a living; it was an avenue to help others reach their full potential.
As Emma enjoyed her wrap, she sat down at a table adorned with the stunning vase filled with daisies, which had added a touch of radiance to the otherwise mundane space. The other teachers had already departed from the lounge, leaving Emma to bask in the serene atmosphere. After a few moments of solitude, she pulled out her phone and dialed Luke’s number to express her gratitude for the flowers he had sent her.
Luke’s voice filled Emma’s ear as soon as he picked up the phone. “Hey Emma, how are you? How was school today? Is everything alright?”
Emma chuckled softly as she listened to Luke’s rapid-fire questions. “I’m good, thanks for asking. School was crazy busy, but I survived. And yes, everything’s alright. I wanted to call and thank you for the daisies you sent. They’re beautiful. No one’s ever sent me flowers for my birthday before.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed them,” Luke said, a tinge of relief in his voice. “I was starting to worry they might have gone to the wrong school or something."
Emma laughed, imagining a bunch of daisies sitting unclaimed in a hallway somewhere. “No, they definitely made it to the right person. And sorry about that, it’s been one of those days. I haven’t even had a chance to eat until now.”
“The flowers are just the beginning,” Luke teased. “You deserve so much more, Emma. That’s why I’m taking you out tonight.”
As Emma contemplated Luke’s kind gesture, the familiar nagging voice of Chad echoed in her head. For years, he had drilled into her the idea that celebrating one’s own birthday was a self-indulgent act, and Emma had taken those words to heart. Despite her friends’ numerous attempts to convince her otherwise, she had steadfastly declined any birthday celebrations, not wanting to upset Chad. It had been ages since she last marked the occasion.
Emma hesitated for a moment before voicing her concern. “That sounds really nice, Luke, but I’m not sure if I can do anything tonight. Riley gets anxious whenever I leave him alone at night.”
