Blossoming

As the old adage goes....."Bloom where you're planted!"

I remember the fleeting look she wore on her face, the day I brought the birthday bouquet.  I sensed her mind was running, wondering.  I even thought I glimpsed her mouth open and shut quickly again, as if just on the verge, but not quite ready to voice her thoughts.  I guessed she had something in mind.....for her wedding.

My best guess was that maybe she was going to ask me to make boutonnieres or wrist corsages, something I had learned to do for my sons and their dates for formals.  Right off, I knew I would decline.  I was just too slow to make multiples.  I considered that I was over-thinking, and totally misreading what I had observed, but the following week, came the e-mail.....

Alethia's bridal bouquet

"Question!".....read the subject.  Amidst a sweet message came the most dear and humble request .....would I be willing to fix her bridal bouquet for her wedding?  What!  This is what she had been wondering when she saw the birthday bouquet I had arranged for Cindy?  This was something I had never done,  never expected, and had never even imagined doing.....ever.  There was no pressure at all in her message, just an invitation to dream.....to grow.....to blossom! 

To be invited to use the flowers from my own garden for Alethia's bridal bouquet.....to be given her trust for something so important .....and to hear her say in her message that she would be honored by this?  Why, I was the one who was honored!  To give of what I had, to know it could bless this remarkable, godly couple who were walking a narrow road in uncommon purity!.....I was humbled.

I had many questions.  Did I have the right color flowers for her palette?  What if the right blooms were not blooming when I needed them?  I had questions about timing and delivery and style.....but these concerns I set aside and answered in faith, "Yes, it would be an honor!"  I knew there would be many unknowns, but I trusted that the Creator, would be my guide.  I would trust his infinite wisdom.  I would serve with his help and inspiration.

Made with love to bless an extraordinary bride

The wedding-morning promised an uncommonly hot day ahead, but under a gorgeous blue sky with snowy-white thunderheads in the distance, I went out on my flower-finding expedition.  Blooms and buds and greens found their way into my buckets of waiting water.  I gathered from my yard, from my mom's flower garden across the street and from a neighbor who had given permission for me to use her peach-colored roses.  My kitchen became my floral station.

I set to work with rosemary and roses, heliotrope and hydrangeas, purple status and the gone-to-seed, fuzzy spheres and sunny blooms of gaillardia.  I added the variegated leaves of nandina and dwarf Japanese maple. On a whim I picked a couple of dainty purple blooms from the neighbors' that I thought looked so pretty, but at the reception, when I was finally able to take a few photos, I disappointingly realized they didn't hold up well.....oh well.  Next time....wait.....what am I saying? 

Paper roses - from worship music

Along with these, I added the bride's special request.....paper roses which I had made with great love and attention to detail.....to coordinate with the boutonnieres and the mother's wrist corsages. These too, have a message to tell.....but that's a story for another day.....Paper Petal Praise and Worship.

When the paper roses, the greens, and the peach, lavender and rosy palette had come together, the stems were wrapped in burlap, lace and twine.  I set the finished bouquet in a Kerr glass canning jar and delivered it to the happy bride.  The process had taken much longer than I had anticipated, and the experience had stretched me, but I did it!  I was done, and I was pleased.

homesweethome. Oh this little space we get to call ours.

Later that afternoon, under the canopies of the chuppah, the old, oak trees, and the blue skies above, a radiant young bride and her adoring groom, made covenant to one another before many witnesses under the canopy of their Father's love.  Holy and symbolic, the ceremony painted a picture of our Messiah's return.  The bridal bouquet suited the romantic, natural style of the setting.....it was but one of many blessings that had been showered upon this inspiring couple, who had saved their first kiss for their wedding day. 

Days after the wedding, I viewed a photo the new bride had posted.  There, displayed on her cheery, little, kitchen corner was the bridal bouquet!  As I read her sweet little hashtag and caption, I felt the blessings come back my way once again.  Back and forth, the blessings flowed, and I praised the LORD for the joy he had given.                      .

I am so grateful to the LORD for the time and resources and gifts he has given to me.  I thank him that he continues to nurture me so that I can grow and bud and blossom. I thank the LORD for my supportive husband who has given me such freedom for creativity.  I know I am blessed.....to be a blessing.....to take what the LORD has given to me and pour it out again.  

"May you bloom and grow
bloom and grow forever!"

Rogers & Hammerstein - Edelweiss

You can check out my young bride-friend's beautiful, inspirational blog at:  

http://alethialov.tumblr.com 
See her 'Forever' page for wedding and flower pics!