“I don’t know if this is really great or just embarrassing. Maybe both,” said one recipient of a Reidos Speedos Fun Shop delivery.

She had walked out of her office to find that a walking, talking teddy bear had come to deliver flowers, chocolate and a balloon for her birthday.

Either way, she felt special, and that is how the husband and wife team, David and Mauricia Reid, co-owner of Reidos Speedos Fun Shop, want their clients to feel.

Reid, 37, has always been a fun-loving man, a bit of a clown who told jokes and acted in ways to make people laugh or lighten their mood. This line of work, dressing as characters to bring people happiness and joy, is right up his alley.

“It’s nice to have something like this to do with your significant other. It’s something I personally enjoy and I don’t have to be anyone other than myself to do it.

“I like to see people get through with their dreams. I genuinely like to help people. I like to say I’m a devout catholic and I took that training from small. All my progress in life, all my achievements, I can always look back on something I would have done through the Catholic church that would have given me that extra edge.”

Reid started DJ-ing and MC-ing at church functions, including sports days, and got involved in several march passes.

He became a march past choreographer and for many years he created routines for different school, corporate, and organisation sporting events across the country free of charge.

He was at one such event in 2012 when a friend brought a cookie monster suit to be part of the routine and told Reid he was the only person who could portray the character properly.

“From the moment I put on the suit, I felt as if it was for me. And when we did the routine, the crowd’s reaction was amazing. A lot of adult women especially liked the cookie monster.”

He purchased the suit thinking he would be the entertainment at children’s parties. However, he realised children were not familiar with cookie monster but the adults loved it. That was when his then girlfriend, Mauricia came up with the idea of a service to deliver flowers and chocolates.

Reid told Sunday Newsday they used to buy the flowers and chocolates from grocery stores but as the demand for the service increased, they started ordering from a flower shop.

For major events like Valentine’s and Mother’s Day, they would purchase flowers wholesale and Mauricia would make the arrangements. They also decided to up their game and import Russell Stover chocolates as well as specialty balloons for several occasions.

They went further, purchasing several other TV characters including Elmo, Sponge Bob, Iron Man, Santa Claus, a gorilla and a teddy bear. And there will soon be a grinch.

[caption id="attachment_920629" align="alignnone" width="683"] David Reid and his wife Mauricia, partners in the Reidos Speedos Fun Shop. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

In addition to flowers, chocolates and balloons, they also offer cupcakes from Cup-a-licious, fruit baskets with whole exotic fruits