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continued from p.1 Elizabeth, 64, said it's a bittersweet moment as she prepares to move on with the next stage in her life. While she's looking forward to a slower pace that doesn't entail working six to seven days a week, she said she can't help but be sentimental as the final day approaches. "It's my baby here. I'm very emotional about it, but you have to let it go, like you let your child go," she said. "I will miss the whole thing. I'm still enjoying it and I will enjoy it to the last minute." Meanwhile, Wim, who grew up in his father's flower shop and studied the floral business in school, said he'll miss fulfilling his customers' requests and making sure every arrangement is absolutely perfect for every occasion. The 66-year-old said he takes great pride, not Partnership bloomed thanks to trust and respect only in creating and designing floral arrangements, but making sure his customers are satisfied. Valentine's Day marks the last major event the couple will celebrate together at the store. As usual for the couple -- that has been married for 42 years and isn't into grandiose personal romantic gestures -- they'll be focused on the business. Over the last four decades, they've been busy making sure others have the Valentine's Day they've envisioned. Wim said they typically stay late so they can fulfil all the last-minute flower requests they always seem to get. By the end of the day, the couple winds down with either a cup of tea or a glass of wine together on their couch. When asked what has kept them partners in both business and in marriage, Elizabeth credits trust -- knowing they can trust each other, rely on each other and work as a team, she said. When they married, she said she knew Wim could be someone she could count on, a big reason she decided to leave her job in nursing to start the floral shop with him. "He has a dry sense of humour I loved from the beginning," she added. It also doesn't hurt that she typically works at the front end of the business, while he works at the back, Elizabeth joked. She handles most client consultations while he designs the arrangements. Wim, who values customer service, said he admires the way his wife interacts with others. Describing her as a people-person, he said they openly talk and work as a team to tackle any issue that comes their way. The couple plans to take some time to themselves in retirement. Elizabeth said she'd like to reorganize her home, bake and cook and do other things she could never find the time to do because she was always at the shop. Wim said he'd like to continue doing floral design in some capacity, but with the freedom of doing it whenever he wants. 3 | Friday, February 14, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com inside today's Editorial Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. Richard Werkman CHIROPODIST Home Hardware Bamboo Legend Oakville Marketplace New Homes Starksky Fine Foods 6 19 Artscene Classified 13 28 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com Now offering Laser treatment for toenail fungus. located on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd. 1495 Cornwall Rd., Suite 33, Oakville T: 905-845-4817 www.werkman.ca DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN means... Reassuring appointments geared to your child's self-esteem and confidence Great home up to good enough for the castle... for the ... THE WHOLE CHILD FIRST Conservative treatment of dental cavities. Bottle cavities treatment and oral habits management. ...A NON TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. ... WHEN, WHY AND HOW **************** **************** **************** Topical fluorides and preventive fissure sealants ... A CAVITY-FREE GENERATION Guidance of the emerging teeth with early interceptive orthodontics 70% Save on designer lighting *See store for details Plus we pay HST ... HELPING FACES GROW Certified Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry DR KENNETH HUNE suppliers of fine lighting to casa loma n o r t h a m e r i c a's l a r g e s t c a s t l e www.hunekayedental.com HUNE KAYE DENTAL GROUP 1540 North Service Rd. West. 3rd. Line & QEW (Tim Hortons Plaza) Oakville, Ontario, L6M4A1 NEW FAMILIES WELCOME CONCEPT LIGHTING In the Heartland Center Mississauga Mississauga 5980 McLaughlin Rd. #3 Oakville 243 Speers Rd. 905.849.LITE(5483) Burlington 1515 N. Service Road 905.331.7444 NEAR BRITANNIA 905.712.4548 905-844-0872 www.conceptlighting.ca