Men Deserve Flowers.
This month’s session of The Remedy was a love letter to the men in our lives. Our evening centered on recognition, presence, and the power of telling men, “I see you. I value you. You matter.”
We created space for men to be celebrated in their wholeness. For their hearts, their struggles, their growth, and the quiet ways they show up every day, not only for what they provide or achieve.
Our panel featured three men who came ready to speak from the heart.
Brian K. Oliver, travel and lifestyle creator, spoke about how intentionality matters more than extravagance. Flowers, in his eyes, are any act that says, “I thought of you.” Sometimes it is a trip planned with care, sometimes a text that checks in, sometimes the kind of conversation that lingers in your spirit for days.
Ime Umoh, storyteller and founder of Push The Button, shared how connection has changed in the digital age. Birthdays are acknowledged in group chats instead of calls, friendships maintained through likes instead of in-person presence. He reminded us that showing up in real time and space is the gesture many men long for.
Anthony Watters, the founder of More Watter co. and Director of the John Hopkins Social Innovation Lab, leaned into the importance of men’s mental and physical health. He challenged the idea that men should “tough it out” and spoke about the freedom in getting regular checkups, seeing a therapist, and having a circle of friends who ask, “How are you really?”
The conversation revealed a contradiction many men live with. They describe themselves as simple in their needs while rarely naming those needs out loud. That silence, the panelists agreed, often leads to missed opportunities for connection and care.
"It is not that we are complicated. It is that we do not always say what we want. Then people are left guessing."
We spent time unpacking what masculinity means today. For some, it was rooted in responsibility, protection, and discipline. For others, it included emotional openness, a willingness to learn, and the ability to love without condition. The group agreed that masculinity should not be a fixed, rigid identity but an evolving expression of integrity, care, and self-awareness.
Authenticity came up as a key part of that evolution. Being authentic, the panelists said, requires men to remove the masks they have been taught to wear. The mask of perfection. The mask of always being the strong one. The mask of having all the answers. True authenticity allows men to be consistent in public and private, to be known for who they really are instead of who they think they are expected to be.
Vulnerability was the thread that tied it all together. It was described not as weakness but as an act of courage. To admit fear, to express love, to cry without apology. These moments of openness build deeper trust in relationships and communities. Vulnerability, one panelist said, is where real connection starts.
"Strength is not never needing help. It is knowing when to reach for it."
When the topic turned to joy, the room softened. Joy was described as a necessity. For some, it was found in family. For others, in travel, art, or stillness. The panelists reminded us that rest is nourishment, not something to earn.
"Sometimes the flower is just the space to breathe without explaining yourself."
By the end of the night, one truth stood out. Men deserve to be celebrated while they are here to receive it.
To every man who attended, shared, listened, or allowed himself to be acknowledged, thank you. Your presence is a gift to this community. You are worthy of every flower, literal and otherwise, that comes your way.
And to everyone reading this, here is your reminder. Give the flowers now. Do not wait for milestones, titles, or eulogies. Celebrate the people you love while they can still smell them.
See you next month!
With love and in purpose,
Jasmine Garland
Founder, The Remedy
