sublimesweets.com

Ain’t Love Grand?

February 19th, 2009

As proprietor of an online gift shop specializing in fresh flower arrangements and baked goods, I often encounter love stories. We cater to folks all over the world who want to send their warm wishes to a loved one in the Philippines and majority of our clients are in a long-distance relationship. Don’t get me wrong, I do not pry into my clients’s love lives. The sentiments on the note cards reveal a lot about a status of a relationship. While I cheered for the couples who finally got married and moved together abroad, the business person in me also guiltily feels a twinge of sadness whenever this happens—another client gone! But of course love is all around and goes around and there is always a lovestruck Romeo ready to woo his Juliet with a dozen roses, a teddy bear and heart-shaped cookies. I’m just happy that we make people happy by helping them keep alive their love across the miles.

One particular love story that stood out this Valentine’s Day on the local front involved a couple named A._ and J._. A._ called me and ordered cupcakes that she said her husband loves, Chocolate Banana and Macapuno Ube. She wanted them delivered on February 14 at her husband’s place of work. We have a minimum amount for delivery and A._’s order did not meet the requirement but since she sounded like a sweet person doing something equally sweet for her husband, I agreed to have her order delivered. She didn’t put her name on the note card but she wrote a loving message.

On the very day the cupcakes were delivered, I got a call from a guy asking about the same cupcakes and how to go about ordering and delivery. Hmm, could he be the hubby? A._ texted me later and gushed that her husband loved her gift and was totally impressed. She also said her family shared and loved the cupcakes and she would want to order another batch as her kids are pestering her for more.

I got another call from the guy inquiring about the cupcakes and this time he was ready to order. He gave me his contact information and I promised to let him know when his order will be available for pick up. Was he a friend of the couple who got lucky enough to see or even taste the cupcakes? I wondered.

And so just three days after Valentine’s Day, Mr. Guy Client arrives and picks up his orders. While he merrily went on his way, A._ and I were texting each other about her orders. She is letting her kids pick the flavors they like. And then things got interesting. Just as we were texting back and forth about her payment options, A._ texted me for the nth time and said that it was her turn to be surprised. Mr. Guy Client was her husband and he ordered the cupcakes for her! She told me how J._ ordered under an alias because he feared that A._ and I are now becoming textmates and somehow, the secret might leak (but J._, I am totally trustworthy … !). Anyway, I’m sure A._, J._ and their kids were happy twice over.

This sort of reminds me of O. Henry’s short story, “The Gift of the Magi” but with a twist. Sometimes, the act of acquiring a present for our dear ones is a lot more valuable than the gift itself. To A._ and J._, a toast to you!

Entry Filed under: All About Cupcakes, Articles, Children's Cupcakes, Chocolate, Fruit