It’s May: Let’s Celebrate Moms, Teachers & Nurses

Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO

Please Click Here to Manage Your Preferences or Unsubscribe There's an old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. But at 1-800-Flowers.com, it's May that comes in roaring, and it has nothing to do with the weather (or zoo animals). The early weeks of the month mark a flurry of occasions: Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), Nurses Appreciation Week (May 6-12), and, of course, Mother's Day (May 11) all gloriously take place in overlapping succession. This creates a wonderful kind of busy for us. Not because of the volume of orders, but because of the deeper meaning behind them. They're not just flowers and gift baskets but gestures filled with emotion. They're how people say, "Thank you," "I appreciate you," and "I love you." It makes sense for these three occasions to land on the calendar at the same time. Teachers, nurses, and moms have a lot in common: They're our quiet heroes. Their superpowers — patience, resilience, compassion — often go unseen, but they're the forces that hold our families and communities together. Those common superpowers are what make this time of year so special. And while we celebrate these three roles together, each one deserves a closer look. Lessons that last I've often said I wouldn't be where I am today without the influence of a remarkable teacher named Dr. Blanche Cook. When I was a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, her class was unlike any other. She challenged us to think critically, to speak up, and to see the world and ourselves differently. She didn't just deliver lectures; she lit a spark. Blanche saw something in me before I saw it in myself. And that's what the best teachers do: They unlock confidence, stir curiosity, and help shape the course of a life. Years later, through a surprising coincidence at a conference, I had the chance to reconnect with her, and I'm glad we did. We've stayed in touch ever since. Every year, I hear stories from Celebrations Pulse readers that illustrate the superpowers of teachers. Take Angelica, a second-year teacher from our community. She told me about her colleague Brooke, who helped Angelica feel supported in her new job. It's a reminder that some of the most powerful lessons are the ones passed from teacher to teacher. I also heard from Cookie, whose email stopped me in my tracks. She shared a tribute to the women she taught alongside for decades: "I want to send out special thanks to Andi, Linda, Jean, Sandy, and Sylvia. These were my coworkers and my work family. We celebrated together and cried together. We supported each other every day and helped each other through the tough times... We taught from the heart and soul. These women are my true heroes." The best teachers don't just teach. They show up, support one another, and pour love into the lives of their students and their colleagues. They help us believe in ourselves. If someone comes to mind as you read this — a teacher, a mentor, a colleague — let them know! Healing beyond the hospital Like teachers, nurses have a quiet way of bringing out the best in us, especially in our most vulnerable moments. It's not just the care they give, but the comfort of a steady hand and a calm voice. They remind us that healing isn't just physical; it's deeply emotional, too. I think of Josephine, a member of our community, who wrote to share her story of being a nurse-turned-patient. She experienced firsthand the impact of the nurses around her — how a small gesture, like offering a sip of cold water or holding her hand during a difficult moment, made all the difference. In her words, those moments weren't small at all. They were everything. Then there's Genevieve, an Amazing Mom and administrator at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, who began her career as a pediatric ICU nurse. She's never lost the instincts that come from being at the bedside. Her experience fuels a deep admiration for nurses, especially those who balance the demands of the job with the responsibilities of motherhood: "I have such respect for nurses, many of them mothers. They sacrifice nights, weekends, holidays — precious time with their families. It's a different level of commitment." These nurses, like so many others, don't just treat illnesses or manage crises. They serve, support, and uplift, often without fanfare, but always with heart. They bring grace to the hardest days and restore hope when it's been shaken. Amazing Moms If the stories of teachers and nurses sound familiar, it's because many of us first experience those same qualities of compassion, patience, and resilience from our moms. They're our first teachers, our first nurses, and so often, the steady hand guiding us forward. It's not just that moms wear many hats; it's that they embody the very best traits of the caregivers who shape our lives. So, as we head into Mother's Day, let's take the time to express our feelings to the teachers who lit a spark, the nurses who offered comfort, and the moms (and mom figures) who gave us strength. Not because the calendar says we should, but because gratitude is always in season. All the best, Jim When she was just 18, Lauren Sisler experienced an unthinkable loss: Both of her parents died on the same day from prescription drug overdoses. In this week's episode of Celebrate Your Story, I talk with Lauren — now an ESPN and SEC Network reporter, former NCAA gymnast, and author of Shatterproof — about the heartbreak behind her strength and how that moment changed the course of her life. Lauren opens up about her journey from silence to advocacy, and how she learned to carry grief while rediscovering joy. She reflects on the role of faith, vulnerability, and community in her healing, and how writing her book helped her piece together the truth. Today, she uses her platform to help others embrace their own stories. We also talk about the dreams she left behind, the new ones that took their place, and how she balances motherhood, marriage, and a high-profile broadcasting career. Lauren's story is ultimately one of resilience, and it's a reminder of what it means to show up fully, honestly, and with faith, no matter what life brings. The countdown to Mother's Day starts here This month, our family of brands is counting down to Mother's Day with meaningful ways to honor the moms who've made a difference in your life. Discover inspiring stories, creative activities, thoughtful gift ideas, and even a curated playlist to help you celebrate in style. And there's still time to join in the countdown festivities. As I prepare next week's special Mother's Day edition of the Celebrations Pulse, I'd love to include your stories about your mom, your grandmother, or any woman who played a motherly role in your life. Whether she showed up with strength, kindness, resilience, or simply with love at just the right moment, share what made her so special. Send in your stories, big or small. Let's fill this space with real moments, heartfelt memories, and the kind of everyday magic only Amazing Moms can create. Prom season, then and now The other night, I caught a segment on the local news about the start of prom season and how the big trend this year are prom bouquets. Just like that, I was swept back in time. I remembered the butterflies that came with asking the right person, the careful debate over which restaurant to choose, and — of course — the all-important decision about which flowers to bring. (Yes, even back then, flowers were a big deal!) For many of us, those moments are in the rearview mirror. But if you have children or grandchildren, this season brings a wonderful opportunity to share stories, offer a little guidance, and reminisce about your own experiences. Whether it's helping pick out a corsage, boutonnière, or prom bouquet , or calming pre-prom jitters, these small acts of connection carry meaning and can spark conversations that last well beyond the big night. Prom may be about tuxes and dresses, music and dancing, but at its heart, it's about celebrating milestones. And those are always worth showing up for — maybe even with a flower (or a bouquet!) in hand. Why Christmas is already on my mind You'll be hearing a lot in the coming weeks about how tariffs are affecting supply chains and pricing. I recently spoke with Zeyi Yang at WIRED about what we're seeing (and paying) at 1-800-Flowers.com. The article — which you can read here — takes a closer look at how tariffs may impact Christmas, which might feel far off, but believe me, it's already very much on our minds. Unless the tariff situation changes, customers should expect to see fewer choices and higher prices this upcoming holiday season. It's another complexity in an already complex business, but, as always, we're focused on finding thoughtful ways to deliver value while helping people connect with the ones they care about. Related articles that caught my eye Written by our Founder and CEO, our Celebrations Pulse Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life. View as webpage This email was sent by: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Two Jericho Plaza Suite 200 Jericho, NY, 11753, USA Manage Email Preferences | Terms & Conditions | Unsubscribe from Pulse Newsletter