My husband and I don’t make a big deal about birthdays. Since we don’t have any little kids to throw a party for, we note each other’s birthday with a card and maybe dinner, but that’s about it. We’re fortunate in being able to spend lots of time together, so it really isn’t any big deal

On my birthday last Saturday, Rex had to work until about 2, and then he hurried to get ready for a rehearsal. He plays French horn in an orchestra about an hour away. A friend nearby also plays horn, so they ride together. I wished them both a good trip and good playing, and I went back to my other activities.

Imagine my surprise when Rex and Laura came home, Rex carrying a beautiful bouquet of roses. It seems that on the drive, Laura asked Rex what he was getting me for my birthday. He said he had a nice card, but it had been a hectic week and...

Laura has a really sweet way of nudging people into doing things they’d really like to do anyway. I could imagine her talking with Rex, noting that they could change their route on the way home if he had in mind to buy me flowers. She can do that without sounding critical or bossy. She just adds a little oomph to a good idea.

I thought about how many nice aspects there were to that gift. It was unexpected, very generous (a dozen!), something we can both enjoy all week. But beyond that, was the gift of two buddies conspiring to do something nice. If you could have seen their faces when they got out of the car. They were like two little kids who thought they had just done something really cool. And they had!

The roses are gorgeous. They are just now opening to that prime stage where you wish they would stay forever — beyond the bud and not fully unfolded. And the gift has reminded me to give a little oomph to good ideas — especially if they involve doing something nice for a friend.