Why We Celebrate Amazing Moms Every Day

Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO

Please Click Here to Manage Your Preferences or Unsubscribe Nearly 50 years ago, when I opened my first flower shop on Manhattan's East Side, I had no idea how much I'd learn about flowers — and moms. A large majority of customers, most of the year, were moms, doing what they do: thinking of everyone but themselves. Always with a story to share, they picked out gifts for teachers, friends, and neighbors. But, when Mother's Day came around, everything flipped. Sons, daughters, and husbands poured in, ready to say thank you to moms with flowers (and stories) of their own. Then it struck me: Why wait for a holiday to say what matters most? Why not make celebrating moms something we do all the time? So, we decided as a business to focus on moms not just on Mother's Day, but every day. It was the start of what we now call Amazing Moms. Behind the strategy is a simple idea: That every mom has a story worth sharing. And that by celebrating them through their stories, we inspire our families, our communities, and each other. Today, those stories live on, not just in shops, but online, in emails, and on social feeds. The medium has evolved, but the heart of the storytelling hasn't. These tales of love, resilience, sacrifice, and joy still inspire. And if you ask me, they're more amazing than ever. The quiet power of motherhood We all know the role moms play: She's the person who brought us into the world, cheered us on from the sidelines, stayed up late when we were sick, and celebrated when we succeeded. But motherhood is so much more than that. Moms are the keepers of tradition, the shapers of character, and the anchors of community. Their love touches their children and ripples outward, influencing neighborhoods and future generations. And each mom has a different story. Some are raising kids on their own. Some are grieving unimaginable losses. Others are blending families, changing careers, or stepping into caregiving roles they never expected. There are stepparents, foster moms, grandmothers, mentors, and neighbors caring for family and their community. What ties them all together isn't perfection but persistence. All of them show up with heart, humor, and a kind of resilience. Their quiet strength shows up day after day, often without recognition or thanks. Our goal with Amazing Moms has always been simple: to remind people that behind every bouquet or gift is a deeper connection, a life story worth honoring. I hope readers will pause and reflect on the Amazing Moms in their lives. A bouquet of Amazing Moms This year, I received more Amazing Mom stories than ever from our Celebrations Pulse community, and every single one was a reminder of just how extraordinary moms can be. You told me about moms working two jobs and still finding time to coach softball. Grandmothers stepping in to raise their grandchildren. Daughters who never imagined becoming mothers but embraced the role when life called. Women facing illness, caring for aging parents, launching businesses, and still managing to pack lunches before the sun rises. Take Natalia, for example. Her story came to us from her mom, Adriana. Natalia didn't plan on motherhood. But when two children needed a home, she didn't hesitate. Today, she's raising them with love while balancing school and work. Adriana wrote: "She steps up to the plate when she doesn't have to and does it with so much pride. She's a great mother, role model, and provider. I'm so proud to be her mother." Or Courtney, who shared a moving tribute to her late mom. She remembers not just her mother's strength while battling cancer, but the enduring love she left behind. "My mother was the epitome of strength, with a sassy sense of humor and courage. She left a hole in my life and in those who loved her. This and every Mother's Day, she deserves her flowers." Then there's Jennifer, a proud mom writing in about her daughter Marissa, who's a working mom of two, a prominent member of her church, and someone who somehow still finds time to prepare meals for families in need. "She's a very supportive and loving wife, mom, professional, and church leader. And she's also a great cook!" A day — and a lifetime — of gratitude As you think about the mothers in your life — past or present, near or far — I hope you'll take a moment to honor them. Maybe you've already sent flowers. Maybe there's a call or visit on the calendar. Or maybe it's something quieter, like a memory, a smile, a feeling you can't quite put into words. And remember, while Mother's Day comes once a year, motherhood happens every day. It's in the bedtime stories read through tired eyes, the whispered prayers, the spontaneous hugs, and the laughter passed down like heirlooms. To every mom reading this: Happy Mother's Day. You do deserve your flowers — not just today, but every day. All the best, Jim Dr. Somi Javaid isn't just changing the conversation around women's health, she's rewriting the playbook. A board-certified OB/GYN, surgeon, and visionary founder of HerMD, Dr. Javaid is leading a long-overdue revolution in how women receive care. HerMD puts menopause, sexual health, and gynecology front and center, delivering a patient-first model that challenges the status quo and fills the gaps traditional medicine too often ignores. But Dr. Javaid's impact goes far beyond the exam room. As one of the fewer than 0.4% of women of color in the U.S. to raise venture capital, she's a pioneer in the booming FemTech space. Her drive has earned her a spot on Inc.'s Female Founders 250 list and a growing national platform. In this week's episode of Power & Impact, Dr. Javaid takes us inside her journey from scrappy pre-med student to powerhouse entrepreneur. She also shares the personal moments that shaped her mission, including the roadblocks she's faced, the changes still needed, and why empowering women through better healthcare is her passion and purpose. I hope you enjoy this episode. Please share your thoughts with me at podcasts@celebrations.com. Celebrating Amazing Moms from Wall Street to Main Street This past week, I had the honor of ringing the opening bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to kick off Mother's Day weekend — something we've done for more than 25 years. It was especially meaningful to be surrounded by so many familiar faces and, more importantly, by so many Amazing Moms. The Nasdaq studio was packed with members of our 1-800-Flowers.com team, our partners, and our extended family. It reminded me that no matter where you are, there's a mom nearby doing what she does best: caring, leading, inspiring. As I said during the ceremony, 1-800-Flowers.com is a relationship company at heart. Our mission is to help people have more meaningful connections, and we learned how to do that from our moms. They're the ones who taught us what it means to show up, to love without limits, and to give, even when no one's looking. When art speaks, we listen A few weeks ago, I wrote about the power of art to help us wrestle with life's big questions, like why we're here, what comes next, and how we find meaning along the way. I shared stories of my own and invited you to reflect on how they may have shaped your thinking. Becky, an amateur watercolorist and lifelong art lover, wrote to share how art touches her soul through color, motion, and music: "I love to paint, but then I love to sing — even though I can't carry a tune. I love to dance but have always been clumsy. I am grateful and thankful for all of it." Her joy was infectious, and her words a reminder that art isn't about perfection but participation. Marianna told me that the letter brought her back to her teenage years in 1973, when Picasso died. "Did I even grasp its significance then? Did I notice? Probably not. I was likely too busy writing in a diary and wondering if I'd ever learn algebra." But now, decades later, the impact has landed. She listened to Mahler, reflected on flowers, and felt that same emotional jolt she experienced standing before Michelangelo's Pietà. "Your reflection on flowers struck a deep chord. They've always had a special place in my heart and spirit — small wonders that, paired with a kind word or gesture, can lift anyone's day." Michelle, a musician, shared that the newsletter felt like "a loving gesture from the creator" at a moment when she was wrestling with her own questions of purpose. "It was amazing to read your letter. It reminded me why I make music in the first place." It's easy to think of art as something distant or reserved for museums and concert halls. But as these readers reminded us, it's also deeply personal. It helps us make sense of sorrow and gives us language for joy. It reminds us that we're not alone in our questions. From Amazing Moms to Amazing Dads Today, we're honoring moms — and what a day it is! But as we celebrate their love and strength, we're also looking ahead to the dads who show up, step up, and shape our lives in quiet, powerful ways. Next month, we're launching Amazing Dads, and I want to hear from you. Do you know an Amazing Dad? Maybe he's the one who taught you how to ride a bike — or how to bounce back after falling. Maybe he's the grill master, the advice-giver, or the unexpected softie. Or maybe he's no longer here, but his spirit still shapes who you are. I'd love to hear your story. Send it to celebrationspulse@1800flowers.com and we may feature it in our special Father's Day edition of the Celebrations Pulse. Let's celebrate the dads who have made a difference! Stepping down but not stepping away To conclude this week's letter, I'd like to share some news: After nearly 50 years, I've decided it's time for a little less Jim McCann at 1-800-Flowers.com. I'm stepping down as CEO and handing the reins to Adolfo Villagomez, a passionate leader who's well-equipped to guide us into the future. This wasn't an easy decision, but it's the right one. I've always believed in surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me, and Adolfo brings fresh expertise in technology, operations, and customer experience. He's the right person to help take this company to the next level. I'm not leaving entirely. I'll remain board chairman and will continue to be actively involved in the company, working closely in partnership with Adolfo. Together, we'll ensure that the heart of our mission of keeping people connected stays strong. And though I may be stepping back as CEO, you'll still find me here every week, writing the Celebrations Pulse, sharing stories, and staying connected with this incredible community. Thank you for being part of this journey. You've trusted us with your life's most important moments, and I've never taken that for granted. 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