Instant Happiness: Rochette’s Florist Delivers Smiles All Over Farmville

 Rochette’s Florist has been “serving the Farmville community since 1969,” according to their website. The shop crafts and delivers beautiful flower arrangements for birthdays, weddings, funerals, Mother’s Day, and of course, Valentine’s Day, as well as many other events. However, it is not only flowers, balloons and the occasional chocolates that Rochette’s delivers, they also deliver uplifted spirits.

Sid Allen, son of Rochette Allen, owner of Rochette’s Florist, wants to share the benefits of receiving flowers with the Farmville community. Sid recently came across research that supports the idea that the presence of plants and flowers in a person’s life can actually have positive effects on their emotional health and mood. According to a study by Rutgers University, “The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.”

I recently had the opportunity to go on a ride-along with Rochette’s delivery driver, Sherman, who has been working at the shop since 1996. Sherman said that he delivers to many places all over the Farmville area and most enjoys meeting all of the different kinds of people he delivers to. As I observed his deliveries, I noticed that he seemed to recognize and even know by name many of the people he saw in passing. We made deliveries to the residents of The Woodlands and Farm Ridge Apartments, as well as a delivery to a private residence. As each recipient was given their gift of flowers, their faces lit up with excitement. One woman exclaimed, “They’re beautiful!” The effect of being given an arrangement of flowers was instantaneously positive.

When asked what his favorite reaction people have to receiving flowers, Sherman responded that so many people ask, “Is this for me?” Some recipients are overjoyed and even surprised when they are delivered flowers, and others have come to expect the arrangements, but are nonetheless excited to have the flowers brighten their day.

While I was in Rochette’s shop, everyone I met told me that their favorite thing to do was deliver flowers. They all loved people’s reactions to receiving the flowers and wished they could do it again. However, just being in the shop, surrounded by flowers, had a positive effect not only on myself, but on the people who worked there. Each of them was incredibly pleasant and good-spirited. I was able to see firsthand that flowers do have a positive effect on a person’s mood.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Rochette’s is gearing up for one of their busiest days of the year. Sherman said that he is looking forward to the deliveries he will make, despite how hectic the day will be.