Bokay Florist has been creating heartfelt greetings in Indianapolis for decades. Located at 5410 North College Avenue, they deliver to all Indianapolis zip codes and surrounding cities.

Specializing in multi-cultural weddings (Greek, Indian, Jewish and American), they can personalize events for either groups or individuals. Cash and carry specials and consultations are available at no charge by calling 253-2323 or 1-800-336-9350. There are no service charges for orders placed on-line at www.bokayindy.com

For Valentine's Day, Bokay is offering tulip arrangements ($35.99), garden bouquets ($34.99), tropical & orchid arrangements ($59.99) and a dozen long-stemmed roses ($74.99). Their shop has a variety of special gifts for the mid-February holiday.

"Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are our two largest volume business days", said Janet Smither, who co-owns Bokay Florist with Angela Kenley. Smither described the event leading to her career change. "I happened to see an advertisement for a floral design school when I was working in a factory at the time and I thought, 'I'm going to try this floral school.' My instructor asked me if I was interested in working with her after completing her class and I accepted her offer", she recalled.

A man from Latvia started Bokay Florist when it was known as "Boka." The name was changed by later owners of the store. Kenley and Smither are the fourth owners of the florist shop.

"Angela and I have owned Bokay for 12 years, but this shop has been in existence for over 50 years. We first met when we were working together at another flower shop and decided to purchase Bokay when the store became available in 1996", Smither explained. Their careers have been blossoming ever since.

She provided seasoned advice for those sending flowers. "Place your orders early for Valentine's Day. Some flower varieties run out due to supply and demand. Please give a complete address, including an office or suite number. It really helps the drivers out, who are making 200-300 deliveries per day", Smither noted.

Valentine's Day origins date back to the third century, according to Charles Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things. Valentine was a priest in Rome who rejected Emperor Claudius II outlawing of marriages for single men, who were potential soldiers under his rule. He continued performing secret marriages for couples, but Claudius ordered him martyred. While imprisoned, Valentine met and fell in love with a young blind woman who often visited him. She is believed to be the daughter of his jailer named Asterius. Through his unwavering faith, he miraculously restored her sight. Before his death around 270 A.D., he sent her a note signed, 'From Your Valentine', an expression still used today.

The American Greeting Card Association estimates that one billion Valentine cards are sent annually, with eighty-five percent of them purchased by women. Such greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, but written Valentines didn't appear until after 1400. The oldest known Valentine card can be seen at London's British Museum, written by Charles, the Duke of Orleans, to his wife in 1415 while he was a prisoner in the infamous Tower of London.

Esther Howland is credited with making the first American commercial Valentine in the 1840s. Known as "The Mother of the Valentine", she made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures , according to the Worcester Historical Museum, located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Roses were initially given as Valentine greetings in the 1700s.

"A lot of our customers like the spring garden bouquets with Delphiniums, Gerber Daises, Irises, Lilies and Tulips. English Garden Flowers and Roses are always in stock", Smither said. "We have added accessories to the shop, like angels, candles, frames, inspirational art, statues and stepping stones", she added.

A variety of gourmet baskets are also available that include chocolates, flowers and fruits listed on their website. Bokay also sells balloons, greeting cards and plush animals like bears, dogs, dragons and monkeys.

Alstroemerias, Asters, Azaleas, Birds of Paradise, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Cyclamens, Daffodils, Ferns, Gladiolus, Heleconias, Hollies, Kalanchoes, Kangaroo Paw, Larkspurs, Orchids, Poinsettias, Queen Anne's Lace, Snapdragons, Solidagoes, Sunflowers and Violets are just some of the flowers Bokay Florist has for customers.

Their award-winning professional staff strives for repeat business and is committed to making one's flower giving experience a pleasant and rewarding one. They are an FTD (Florists' Transworld Delivery) member.

FTD began on August 18, 1910 when 15 American florists gathered as a retailers' cooperative to help customers send flowers on the same day by using FTD network florists located near the intended recipient. Florists agreed to serve each others' out-of-town customers by exchanging orders via telegraph and were called Florists' Telegraph Delivery. Adopting the Mercury Man in 1914 as their logo to emphasize the speed of delivery, FTD became international and changed to their present name in 1965.

Bokay Florist is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are closed Sundays. Major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover) are accepted as well as debit cards.

The natural beauty and color of flowers convey unspoken emotions, thoughts and wishes that people sometimes prefer not to say. Bokay Florist can brighten any day for that special Valentine or important event in your life throughout the year.