Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. February 14. While Hallmark and others have taken the day and commercialized it to an inordinate degree, the day began as a festival of love in honor of Saint Valentine, a martyr in the Christian Church. During the Victorian era, hearts, flowers, and chocolate became associated with Valentine’s Day.
I am an avid audio book listener, given the commutes in Atlanta, and frequently choose books I would not necessarily buy, but the title or the jacket blurb intrigues me. I recently listened to The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. 
The characters use flowers to express their feelings, a practice that began in the Victorian era when flower dictionaries were popular. The main character in the novel, Victoria, and the author develop their own flower dictionaries, each discovering that flowers could have multiple meanings and unhappy with those available. In the novel, there is an exchange between Victoria and Grant, her love interest, where the two trade flowers back and forth, she to keep him at bay; he to draw her closer. Gradually, Victoria realizes she has a gift and develops a wedding flowers business centered around each bride and groom’s hopes for their marriage using the flowers chosen to convey this sentiment. Is it the flowers or the talking through of the bride and groom’s view of marriage in the presence of a neutral party that helps the couples? The reader wonders. The language the author uses is vibrant and rich, the characters so well drawn I became quite irritated with Victoria at one point in the story when I felt she made several wrong choices.
So when you pick flowers for this Valentine’s Day, pause to consider the message. Did you pick yellow roses thinking friendship when you are suggesting infidelity? A white rose because you liked the color when you are saying instead you have a heart unacquainted with love? Do you like violets? Do you really consider yourself only of modest worth?
I love flowers. My favorites are red (love) and pink (grace) roses and tulips (declaration of love). If I get yellow or red carnations or nettles, I will know to beware.
Sussan Kaye 