While many will shower their loved ones with cards, chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s Day, one Richmond woman is preparing to pour it on for a bunch of strangers.
Jane Lee, who runs a flower studio from her home, told the Richmond News she plans to use most of her business' recent profits to create personalized bouquets to cheer up local seniors, especially those who live alone.
"Valentines aren't just restricted to showing love to family members, relatives, or friends. Instead, people who live in your neighbourhood could also be your ‘valentines’," said Lee.
Love is about accepting and caring for everyone unconditionally, she added.
Lee has purchased 300 roses, which she will turn into gifts for people, identified by local charities and organizations, who could use a little extra love in their lives.
"Anyone who made a purchase with me is also helping the community for a good cause," said Lee.
Lee, along with her husband and son, moved from Hong Kong to Canada two years ago for her son’s education. Before migrating to Canada, she worked for 15 years as an accountant at four large accounting firms in Hong Kong.
Lee said she was living the dream but wasn’t truly happy.
"The working life of being an accountant is too boring for me; I needed the 'bling, bling' to sparkle up my life," laughed Lee.
In 2011, she made what she considers the best decision of her life by moving into the wedding planning business. It enabled her to use her handcrafting skills to light up people's lives. And, more importantly, Lee said she felt joy for the first time by serving others.
"In 2017, I even set up a charity called Ave Maria Garden in Hong Kong, which offered flower arrangement classes for lower income women to learn a new skill while bringing them peace, joy and comfort," said Lee, noting that "it was a life-changing journey."
Since being in Canada, Lee launched her business while hosted numerous workshops to teach people flower arrangement. She also created a YouTube Channel called Love Inspired Life to enrich people's leisure time during the pandemic.
Lee is now encouraging local non-profits to get in touch with her and she will donate her flower bouquets to people who she’s made aware of through the organizations.
