FLOWERS FROM THE HEART

As Valentine's Day 2021 neared, florist Ashley Manning got to thinking about how hard the holiday must be for widows. So she sent bouquets to women in her area who had lost their husband. As hearts were lifted, a tradition bloomed!

- KELLIE B. GORMLY

Valentine’s Day 2021 was approaching, and Ashley Manning was busy designing her floral arrangements. The Charlotte, North Carolina, mom of four had started making them during the Covid-19 quarantine as a hobby, but it quickly grew into a thriving home-based business, Pretty Things by A.E. Manning (PrettyThingsByAEManning.com). Ashley was deeply grateful for her success and wanted to give back.

Suddenly, Ashley found herself thinking about her 4-year-old son’s preschool teacher, Kathy Evans, who, early in the school year had shared that she’d lost her husband to cancer a few years back. Like she often did for family and friends, Ashley had sent Kathy a bouquet of flowers. Now, her heart ached as she realized what a heartbreaking holiday Valentine’s Day is for so many people like Kathy, who have lost their beloved spouses. And an idea blossomed in Ashley’s heart.

I’d like us to think about people who Valentine’s Day is hard for. For every arrangement you buy, I will donate one, Ashley told her customers on social media.

HOPE FOR ALL The response was swift and enthusiastic. Customers bought lots of flowers and made monetary donations to help cover the cost of the bouquets to be gifted.

Soon, Ashley and some 70 volunteers were making arrangements on her front porch, then delivering bouquets of love to widows.