06/06/2024
A memory came across my newsfeed, reminding me it's been 8 years since I finished floral design school. I remember the long drive home from Portland. My car loaded out with Millie, too many clothes, my moped, hopes and dreams. I remember the feeling of accomplishment I felt. After so many years trying to find my niche in college and failing, to finally finding what I knew I was meant to do in life. I can't describe the weight that was lifted from me during that time of my life. I didn't quite know what the future held, I just knew I wanted to start my journey with flowers.
Dreams are a funny thing. In the early moments of realizing your dreams it’s exciting, like a fire you think will never burn out. No one tells you how hard you will have to fight to keep living and chasing your dreams. How you will go through seasons where that fire you once had quite literally burns out and every fiber of your being questions whether or not to keep doing it. I guess that's what makes your dreams worth it in the end, if there wasn't a little fight and grit in the game would it really be worth it? Probably not.
This life with flowers has taken so many twists and turns. I've had opportunities I never dreamed I'd have and accomplished goals I never knew I'd reach.
This journey has taught me so much. It's taught me what's important and what I need to prioritize in life, when to trust my gut and say no, and when it's time to walk away from people or dreams that in reality were only meant to be temporary. It's given me the confidence to say yes to challenges, to know it's okay to change my mind, to feel right with my decisions, and most importantly the confidence to not take so much stock in what others think. I'm thankful for every single lesson I've learned along the way, every win and loss carried a lesson with it.
I'm not sure I would call myself a veteran floral designer at this point, but the experience I've gained throughout this journey has given me a priceless amount of perspective and knowledge I am grateful to carry with me as I continue this crazy flower journey.
So here I am, still dreaming, still learning, and still crossing off goals only to make new ones.
