“Hi, I need a dozen roses please.” Charley asked the clerk. “Would you like red, white, pink or a we can do a mixed bouquet with four of each color?” “Mixed sounds nice, something different, I’ll take mixed.” “Not a problem, I’ll get them ready.” The clerk said with a smile. “Here you go, I think she will love these.” She said as she admired the roses. “You must get tired of roses this time of year?” Charley asked “Not really, I love roses, I like imagining the smiles they bring people.” Charley noticed a hint of discouragement in the clerks face “Pick a rose.” Charley told the clerk “What?” The clerk said surprised and confused “You seem like you could use a good smile, pick a rose.” Cheeks blushed with a bit of embarrassment the clerk replied “Oh, I couldn’t these are for your Valentine” Charley smiled “I insist, here take this rose, happy Valentine’s Day.” The clerk swallowed at the lump in her throat as she thanked Charley. “Chocolates, very original Charley, chocolate and roses.” Charley thought, looking at the selection of heart shaped boxes. “Ma’am, where did you get those strawberries?! They look delicious!” Charley asked a lady next to him. “Oh, there’s a man in the back of the store, near the produce, he is selling these and I couldn’t pass them up!” The lady said as she held Charley’s forearm in excitement “Thank you! I think I better hurry over before they sell out.” Charley said as he politely pried his arm from her grip. Charley made his way toward the produce section, passing shopper after shopper with chocolate covered strawberries. “I hope I’m not too late. Jenny would love these strawberries.” Charley thought as he picked up his pace. “Hello sir, do you have any strawberries left?” Charley was slightly out of breath “Ah! You just made it son! I have one bunch left!” The elderly man’s face brightened as he smiled at Charley “Roses and chocolate strawberries. Could I make a suggestion?” The elderly man asked. Charley grinned “absolutely” the elderly man pushed his hat up with his thumb “I started making these strawberries for my wife when we first met, I didn’t want to just buy her chocolate. I would always buy a nice bottle of wine to go with them.” The elderly man winked as he finished. “I’ll buy her some wine sir, thanks for the tip. Are you still making these for your wife?” Charley asked. The elderly man looked at the floor and then back at Charley “She’s been gone now for almost five years. She’s the reason I sell these strawberries. Valentine’s Day was her favorite holiday and she loved the strawberries. So, I sell these to others to bring them the same joy I shared with my wife.” His voices broke and cracked as he spoke to Charley. “Pick a strawberry.” The elderly man appeared puzzled as he looked at Charley “Ah, you don’t have to do that son.” “I insist, go ahead have a strawberry.” Charley said as he held the strawberries out. The elderly man’s eyes welled up as he picked a strawberry. “Red wine? White wine? Pinot? Blond du bbb blond du something?” A voice broke the confusion “Having some trouble?” an employee was smiling at him “I don’t know the first thing about pairing wine, please help!” Charley said with feigned desperation. “No problem. If you want something that pairs well with those strawberries, I’d go with the white Zinfandel.” She said as she handed Charley a bottle. “You are a life saver! Thank you for your help.” Charley said as he took the bottle of wine. “You’re welcome.” She said to Charley as he headed for the checkout. “Jenny will be home soon” Charley said as he looked at his watch. “I need to hurry” Charley made his way to Mario’s pizza. “Hey, Charley! Jenny’s special will be ready in a few minutes.” Mario said as Charley walked through the door. “Thanks Mario, I appreciate it.” Charley took a seat at the counter. “Jenny’s special? That’s not on the menu.” Said a young man sitting next to Charley. “No, it’s my wife’s favorite pizza. We had our first date here and that’s the pizza she ordered. It’s been known as “Jenny’s special” ever since.” The young man drummed his fingers on the counter “You’re a lucky guy, I’ll be spending another Valentine’s Day alone.” “Keep your head up, you’re still young, you’ll meet somebody.” “Here you go Charley! Hot outta the oven!” Mario said as he slid the pizza onto the counter. “Thanks Mario, this smells delicious!” Charlie said as he cracked open the box. “Have you ate?” Charley said to the young man. “ Ate? Me? Not yet, I just ordered a soda.” The young man said as he turned his glass. “Have a couple slices.” Charley said as he turned the box and opened the lid. “Are you sure?! Thanks!” He took a slice “This pizza is awesome!” He said, mouth full of pizza. Charley lit a candle, put the flowers in a vase, placed the strawberries on the table and opened the pizza. Jenny walked into the kitchen, Charley looked at Jenny “It’s not much, but I hope you like it” Jenny smelled the roses and noticed one missing, she looked at the pizza minus a slice, curious she checked the strawberries and found one gone. “Charley” Jenny smiled “Charley I think you’re missing a few things” Charley began to explain “I gave a rose to the clerk at the flower shop, she looked like she needed a smile. I shared a strawberry with the man who sold them because he lost his wife. I shared the pizza with a kid who was having a bad day.” “That’s not what I meant” Jenny explained “What you’re missing is that I love you for the kind, caring person you are, not because of the things you give me.”