A Carnational surplus

A what in carnation follow up

Well, What in carnation turned out to be quite popular. Easily the most viewed thing I’ve posted. What a bunch of romantics you all are! I also printed out the love story part and put it in our teachers’ lounge. Oh, there were tears a plenty!

I had a plan! A secret plan! My goal was to give out carnations to a bunch of dear friends while at McDonald’s. Mwah haha! Not really an evil plan but I like the laugh. And ideally, I would give out at least 20.

Friday, the day of the date, rolled up. I was a bit nervous. At morning assembly the principal asked for a prayer of Thanks since it was the anniversary of our first meeting (She’s very sweet). She also reminded the students of the prayer service we had for Katie last year and the butterflies in the garden. Pretty cool. After assembly and before I make it to my classroom two TK students run up and hand me a yellow carnation (sweeter still). I even get a couple hugs.

Periodically throughout the day I got a yellow carnation from a TK student. Probably about one an hour. Sometimes a hug, sometimes a fist bump. Pretty cool.

I even got a homemade monster carnation with little butterflies from 4th. Also pretty cool.

A co-worker apologized for not being able to go to McDonald’s and gave me a bouquet of real carnations. Yellow with red frosting. I like the ones that are marbled like that. Yet again, cool.

I went home after work and prepared my blue carnations to hand out. I also took the yellow ones I had received in a separate vase. At 5:35 I went down, got in the car and drove over to Seaside. I had nervous butterflies in my tummy. It was like I was going on a first date or something. It was great!

I get to the parking lot and I’m a bit early. Sigh. So I play Yahtzee on my phone. Twice. Then I grab my carnations and head on in.

At first I don’t see anyone I know but then I see there’s a table of about 7 waiting. Some have already ordered. I chat a bit, hand out some carnations, receive some green carnations, hugs, a book and I’m thinking, wow I better order now or I won’t get to eat. I’ll just be chatting the whole time. So I go to the Kiosk and order 4 cheeseburgers (two for Katie) and 2 large fries. When I go back more folks have come in. There’s even a mom from school with her son. They just saw us all walking in and figured they’d check it out. I gave her a carnation and a copy of the story to read. There are folks from school, folks from my running group, folks I used to work with, spouses, kids… I hand out carnations one per family, maybe two if I feel generous. I turn all social butterfly and work the room. I slowly consume my two cheeseburgers and some fries. We gradually fill up the place. Taking the main large table and 7 other tables. My best guess is that 48 people came. Many stayed for at least an hour as we ate fast food and socialized. It was absolutely amazing.

I definitely gave out more than 20 carnations. I think I got over 50 hugs. That was the unexpected bonus.

The other two cheeseburgers and large fry mysteriously disappeared.

McDonald’s did pretty well at keeping up. We definitely caught them off guard and some folks had to wait a while for their food. It was probably more of a problem for the innocent bistanders who came in to order and had to deal with this massive group of people. :)

At the end of the evening I handed a copy of the story to the McDonald’s worker at the front register and told her it was the reason behind the big crowd and blue carnations.

That night I emailed McDonald’s to thank them.

The local McDonald’s responded today and seemed quite pleased. They’re apparently going to send me something.

Thank you to all who came and to all those that were there in spirit. You made what could have been a really rough day a great day.

The gift carnations and my leftover blue ones now live in my classroom. Blue was Katie’s favorite color, btw.