2026 Theme: Valentine’s Day, Curated

Hello Stem Lovers,

This year’s VDAY Theme is …Valentine’s Day, Curated.

If you love Valentine’s Day, don’t become a florist.

My time working in a floral shop removed a lot of the joy I found in florals. Don’t get me wrong, I take my time there as a complete blessing, but Valentine’s Day specifically was a nightmare. Nightmare clients and customers. Men complaining about the inconvenience of having to buy roses for a “commercial holiday.” The owner, and mentor was logistically unprepared for the Valentine’s Day rush. Oh, and I was only allowed to design the standard 5x5 cube. Roses. Baby’s Breath, Variegated Pittosporum. Wash, rinse, repeat.

And then came my first Valentine’s Day on my own.

Independent. Yes. But also overwhelmed. Completely responsible for every choice. There was no one to hide behind, no template to follow. I worked nonstop. I second-guessed myself. I made mistakes. What followed was a series of seasons where I am at the whim of others. I let others tell me what Bellished should be. What Bellished should do. Who Bridgette should be. Let’s talk about Bridgette and critique her decisions.

What do I want this Valentine’s Day? Fuck that 5x5 cube. All orders out by 2p.m. I choose my clients. I choose my projects. But the big goal, the one that is scaring me the most: I wanted to harness social media.

I’ve always been a post-and-go girl. But also I am extremely shy. I’m quiet. I don’t love being perceived. I operated under the belief that not everyone should know me like that. But I think cool shit. I do cool shit. And slowly, with the help of my therapist and the steady encouragement of my friends, I’m learning how to share more. I want to learn how to “create content.” How to post without being perfect. I think I am ready for the world to know who I am.

This season, I don’t care if Bellished Florals makes a dime.

My heart is so full—from the risks I took, the boundaries I honored, the choices I made. Without fucking permission. This is my Valentine’s Day. On my terms.

Oh, and I want a huge piece of German Chocolate cake for my Valentine’s Day dinner.