Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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  • Jim Mattox, Roger Rose and Mike Jessee load a delivery van at the Brown Sack Florist in Bluewell Monday. The semi-retired men have been helping with the deliveries at the florist during Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day for years. Staff photo by Eric DiNovo

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February 14, 2012

Cupid forced into early retirement; Valentine fairies take over

By JAMIE PARSELL Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEWELL — It is time for Cupid to enjoy the retired life. The traditional man of romance needs to find a hobby, like golf and let the Valentine fairies — Mike Jessee, Jim Mattox, both of Bluefield, and Roger Rose, of Bluefield, Va.,  — deliver bouquets of sweet-smelling flowers to sweethearts in the two Virginias.

Each February, the three men come out of retirement to deliver flowers for the Brown Sack Florist in Bluewell. Last year, Mike Jessee, who owns the store with his wife Elaine, asked his golf buddies to help deliver flowers on the holiday. This will be their second year playing Cupid.

“They just need some help around Valentine’s Day. He asked me last year if I would help. I have the time and so I do it,” Mattox said.

All three are semi-retired. Jessee retired from the railroad in 2009. Rose, who retired from Cole Chevrolet in 2009, works three days a week at the Shell station. And Mattox occasionally inspects homes for his business PROMAX and manages the Bluefield Elks Golf Shop in Bluefield. But during the week of Feb. 14, they turn their attention to bouquets of roses, tulips and lilies.

It gives Elaine Jessee a sense of comfort and trust.

“They are the best deliverers because they know the area. They know where everybody lives and where all the businesses are located,” she said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

The men don’t mind the job, nor the hours.

 “It’s fun,” Rose said. “You get to go and visit people and everybody greets you with a smile. It is a pretty good deal.”

Mattox said he enjoys delivering the flowers because it makes people happy on Feb. 14. He has noticed that all women love the sight of flowers.

“The receptionists light up, even if the flowers are not for her” Mattox said.

Jessee likes helping his wife on one of the busiest days of the year, plus it gives him something to do, now that he is retired.

“You can’t just sit down when you retire,” he said.

They will spend at least eight or nine hours delivering orders on Tuesday. They started delivering orders on Monday, as well. It is a fun experience, with less stress and a lot of rewarding smiles, Rose said.

“The one thing I learned is that most people are very thoughtful on Valentine’s Day when it comes to their sweethearts,” he said.

Thre three fairies will also deliver flowers on Mother’s Day.

— Contact Jamie Parsell at jparsell@bdtonline.com.

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