Tulip Tree

I showed up at Tulip Tree completely randomly a few minutes after they opened. I'd just found out that the son of an ex-coworker/friend had committed suicide. I left work to find a florist because I wanted to get her some flowers as soon as possible.
When I arrived at Tulip Tree, I told the lady in charge about the situation and explained I needed to get something quickly so I could give it to my friend and then go back to work. I also told her I didn't much money to spend. She asked how much I was looking to spend and I said $15-$20. She said she could build me something beautiful for that price.
The lady bustled around the shop and built a bouquet in an elegent clear glass vase, working with care but quickly. She chose purple flowers and explained purple is a healing color. When I mentioned that my father also died of suicide, she was very sympathetic. She said that events like my friend's son's suicide can stir up feelings from previous similar situations in our own lives. My feelings about my father are still a bit raw, and getting that unexpected sympathy really meant a lot to me.
The florist was very patient as I looked through all of the tiny floral cards and then offered me a full size, folding sympathy card with envelope at no extra cost. She gave me a pen and was patient as I filled out the card, choosing my words carefully.
The whole transaction came out to about $20, including tax. The bouquet was as beautiful as ones I'd seen online costing $45-$50 or more. I never expected to get something so beautiful for $20, especially so quickly and with such sympathy from the florist. I will absolutely return to Tulip Tree for my future floral needs.