Once upon a time, I deemed myself the blackest of all thumbs. I could NOT keep a plant alive if my life depended on it. Then came along my oldest son, and he insisted that he would be one day be a farmer. This dream of his continued year after year after year. Then one year for his birthday we gifted him a greenstalk vertical garden (amazing btw). As luck would have it, that same year was the year he decided he no longer wanted to be a farmer…..lol. Buuuuuuut, it was also around that time that I felt a little nudging in my heart and a quiet voice told me that I should actually learn how to grow our own food. Like, really truly know how to do it. During the dead of winter and my slow months I spent my time pouring over gardening books, watching youtube videos, researching veggies and how to grow in small spaces. Each year my garden grows a little more. I anticipate the early spring when I get to watch my seedling babies grow and thrive….or, sometimes die (but we aren’t focusing on that are we?) And I have found a deep and profound love of cultivating a garden space of my own. It’s not huge. But I’ve learned to pack a lot in the space that God’s given me. And within that space I’ve found therapy. Peace. Joy. And excitement as I get to bring in truly organic food to eat. I get it now. Why we need spring. Why the growth is important. And the beauty that can arise if we learn to cultivate it…not just in food, but in our hearts as well.
I think that’s also why my first spring sessions always hit a little different. They are welcoming in the new with the old. They breathe new life into the damp and darkness that the winter can bring. And I think maybe, that’s why this session felt right to share now. The perfect depiction of true spring. Wildflowers, fresh baby, loving family….allowing our hearts to soak in the gracious goodness. All. The.Things.
Oh, and before I start sharing a whole lotta photos with you. I feel like I need to end with this. The same son who got me started in gardening came up to me the other day and asked if he could be a part of my garden this year. I guess a 3-4 year hiatus was all he needed to get back to his roots. I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough but also had to play it off cool and not come across too eager beaver about it….. Because you know how teens can be. Mom can get “cringe” all too quickly 😉 So I just did the cringy-est happy dancing all in my head instead. lol. Cheers to spring and sun and growing and beautiful families!
