The sun shines through the handmade red rose stained glass hanging from the ceiling on the window. A fusion of aromas from soy candles to carnations greet the visitor upon entering.

The flower shop has been providing services to Austin for 37 years, but it has only been Emotions Floral & Gifts for the last three.

After a year of ownership Theresa and Terry Miller made a commitment to give back to the community through donations.

"We feel like we bought not just a store but a piece of history and we are the keepers of that piece of history," Theresa said.

It all started on a hot July day when Theresa and husband Terry were riding on their motorcycle down Main Street.

"Terry saw something on the street and decided to turn around and pick it up," Theresa said.

He noticed a black bag on the street with an Emotions sticker on it. They went home and made some calls to see who it belong to. The content of the bag was $2,000.

The prior owner was relieved and thankful for the couple having found the store's bank deposit, Theresa recounted.

A week or so later, Teresa received a call from a friend informing her of the prior owner of the store was looking to sell the business.

The prior store owner remembered the couple and thought they would be good candidates to sell to. The couple bought the business in early January of 2002.

On Easter Sunday, the prior owner of the store was in a car accident.

"People called wanting to know what had happened and how they could help, a lot of people wanted to sent her flowers,"

Theresa remembered.

Because she was in intensive care, nothing could be sent to her. The Millers wanted to do something so they did a paper flower drive. People wrote their get well wishes and messages on the paper flowers, which were read to her by family members. The head injuries had left her blind.

In the process of the paper drive, the Millers raised $300.

Theresa said people put the money that they would have used for real flowers in a jar decorated with hearts and it was given to the family to help them out.

"That may her feel really good and we had a chance to help a fellow florist," Theresa said.

For the Millers, their first year as owners was mostly "learning the ropes of owning a business."

"Our store is a full service store and we want to keep it that way," Theresa said.

The store offers services for weddings, funerals, holidays, and the traditional Hispanic celebration of a girl's 15th birthday.

Teresa said in their second year they will work to have singing telegrams and more Spanish items.

"We are trying to have a little of everything, so if someone comes and buys flowers they can pick up card or balloon in English or Spanish," Theresa said.

To give back to the community, the shops donates.

During Caring Rose Week in November the store sponsored a fund-raiser for the Salvation Army. Customers brought in two cans and $10 and received a bouquet of roses.

"The high school helped out a lot and we hope next year we can have some sort of competition to raise more," Theresa said.

Whenever the store has flowers past their expiration date, they are taken the cemetery to be put on the graves.

"It's our way of saying thank you to those who are not here and helped out make the flower shop what it is now." Theresa said.

The shop has also donated to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, has an sponsorship with the American Legion and has donated center pieces to the Good Samaritan Center. Other charities on their donating list include the Boys Scouts and various nursing homes.

Her variety of fresh flowers come from places such as Ecuador, Hawaii and California. "I am really picky about my flowers. They need to last 10 to 15 days," Theresa said.

The flowers are tested and monitored in vases before Theresa decides to buys them.

Among its products the store carries at least six different colored roses, three to four colors of lilies, exotic plants, orchids and even carnivorous plants, candies, gifts, cards, balloons and a large variety of silk flowers.

Though there are other flower shops in town and Emotions might be the smallest one, Theresa said.

"I make it a priority for my staff to be the most knowledgeable and offer the best customer service in town," Theresa said.

The store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and after hours by appointment. As a member of the Teleflora, a person can call the shop and send flowers anywhere in the United States. It also delivers within a 25-mile radius.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.