While I have become known for my love and appreciation of plants, this was not always part of my reality. I used to get no pleasure out of seeing a houseplant and the one succulent I had in my care was accidentally knocked off a windowsill….multiple times if my memory serves me correctly.

Since getting engaged, something shifted. I’ve wondered if the symbolism of my engagement ring diamonds being arranged like a flower (this was a surprise) was the catalyst to my being inclined toward my leafy friends. 

Regardless, being an enthusiast and student of plants has shaped my life in ways ranging from new connections to the Creator to the abundance of lessons I’ve gleaned over the past five years.

This year marks the first year of being a true gardener. We have gone through the process of growing seedlings indoors, transferring them outside, preparing soil at length, and planting seeds directly in the ground. 

Cultivate.

That’s the word I’ve had in my mind and feel the Lord has given me in this season. Liam, our two-year-old, has even been part of the process. He put a number of seeds in the ground as we planted and helped with a few seedlings. It’s brought me tremendous joy (and yes, the occasional degree of exasperation that comes with the hazard of a toddler around fragile plants) to have him be part of the process.

Cultivate.

As I look forward to seeing how the garden changes from day to day, I’m also working on cultivating a little life in my womb. At 25 weeks, it’s a delight to be experiencing growth within my own body paralleled with the plant life in our yard.

Cultivate.

I’ve been acquiring, writing, listing, remembering, and savoring plant lessons for years. While I’ve had intentions of putting those thoughts into a more compact package meant to share with others, it’s become clear to me that a missing link was the garden. Having a season of really toiling and cultivating a garden will round out some of my horticultural experience that has been lacking.

I look forward to seeing how this shapes my interaction with plants. Growing the garden with my little family (which is also growing!) is so gratifying, especially when my little garden helper sprays himself with the hose while wearing a bucket hat.

Here’s to a season devoted to the word cultivate.