Dearly Beloved

There’s about eighty-five things on my “to do” list right now but only one thing on my mind. The Wedding.

The Wedding has taken over my life. The Wedding is this Saturday. It’s my first ~ at least as a flower grower. It is casual, I’m told. You know, shorts, sandals, a dock. Simple. Local flowers would be lovely, they said.

A beautiful couple planning the start of their lives together want me to help with flowers. What a huge complement. So why am I filled with gratitude and terror? For starters, I’m a budding flower grower at best.

To say I’m ambivalent about the whole situation is an understatement. Dan and Sally first arrived at the farm four weeks ago. I was out loading manure at a horse farm when Natalie took the message. ‘Wedding. Would like flowers. Please call.’

I never called. It was a busy week, like all other weeks, and well, I just couldn’t make the call. Then they showed up again. This time I was harvesting okra. Sweaty and embarrassed from my lack of responsiveness I quickly said, ‘no problem, what do you need?’

Since that Saturday, three weeks ago, I walk the fields daily conducting the Wedding Inspection. Will the sunflowers still be coming in? Should I put water on the zinnias? What about these damn fireflies?! Why are they suddenly eating every flower petal they land on?

Today I started harvesting for the big event. Casual, I tell myself. Simple. You know, shorts, sandals, a dock. They know what I do, they like it, that’s what they want. It’ll be okay.

Then the text arrived. “Pls add bouquet for me to carry, sml suns. And one for cake. Thx” Oh God, these people are counting on me. Counting on their day to be beautiful. To be perfect. The Wedding. For at least three of us, it’s the only thing happening.

Please wish me luck and wish the bride and groom a long and loving life together. And, as always, thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

#FarmLife