Older Florist Donates Flowers to Nursing Home, Finds Love He’s Been Missing for 55 Years There — Story of the Day

Mike decided to close down his shop at 70 and donated his remaining flowers to the local nursing home, but he discovered a woman he had not seen in 55 years and couldn’t believe why she was there.

Mike closed his van and patted the door as he always did when he was going to deliver some flowers. It was a ritual, a tradition… or perhaps something he did for comfort. Either way, it soothed him, and today was significant. He wasn’t going on an actual delivery, at least not one that anyone had requested.

At 70, he decided it was time to retire and close his shop. He was going to sell, but that would take some time, according to the real estate agent. Mike debated on liquidating his remaining flowers, but he shrugged. He didn’t need the money. He had made enough and been smart about his savings to retire comfortably.

However, it seemed empty to sell whatever was left, so he decided to take all his flowers to the local nursing home. Mike figured he might be moving there soon, and it was better to cheer those residents than leave these flowers to chance.

So, the old florist got in his van and drove for a few minutes until he reached the senior community. He had called earlier, so they knew he was coming, and Mike and his shop had been a staple in their town for over 45 years. Everyone knew him.

They welcomed him with open arms.

“Mr. Collins! Thank you so much!” the nurses said. The residents who could walk grabbed what they could and help distributes flowers to others. The smile and the merriment on people’s faces confirmed to Mike that he had done the right thing.

“What a beautiful bouquet! Mr. Collins, you are a genius!” someone said, and he smiled. All he wanted was to do something nice.

“Mr. Collins, we’re sad you’re closing the shop, but this gesture has already helped so many people here,” a nurse came over and patted the old florist’s arm. “You see over there? Mrs. Stevenson doesn’t have the best memory and never smiles, but she’s staring at those flowers like they’re a treasure.”

Mike looked where the nurse was pointing, and… everything stopped. He felt his face redden, and his heart started beating wildly. It can’t be her. Or is it? he thought as he got a bit closer. The older woman was focused solely on the flowers, but Mike recognized her from 55 years ago.

“Miss, that woman’s first name is…?” Mike said.

“Her first name is Emma,” the nurse confirmed, and Mike closed his eyes.

He asked for a few more details about her. “Why is she...