FOSS + FERN

10 years ago I cancelled my first date with this guy. We had met, we hit it off, he asked for my number (after I told him to) and we had our first date scheduled.

Then I realized that we had made plans for the Saturday night before Mother’s Day. I was working in a flower shop at the time and I knew that even if by some miracle I got out of work at a reasonable hour, I would be exhausted to the point of crying. When I called to cancel I knew I was risking that he wouldn’t understand. People in general don’t really think of being a florist as a tasking job. He might think I was backing out. Or that I was being a flake. Or that I just wasn’t that into him. But he took the news with grace, we rescheduled and that was that.

Until the Saturday before Mother’s Day. I was in the middle of my 10 hour shift. Standing in the incredibly busy flower shop. Balancing precariously on a mound of clipped flowers, bent over my 50th arrangement of the day. Hands cold and raw and swollen. Back aching. Hair and makeup, most likely not on point. No end in sight. And in walks this tall drink of water with a chocolate bar and some orange juice. ‘Try to stay hydrated and watch your sugar levels,’ he says.

And I fell in love right then and there.

The past 10 years has been a gift. As surprising and unexpected as that orange juice and chocolate. I regularly thank the universe that you are who you are. Happy anniversary darling.

How do you water?

Do you bring your plant babies to a sink?

Do you circle back around to empty out full trays and containers of run off water?

Do you not drain???? 😵😵😵

This picture came up in my memories from 3 years ago. What I didn’t know when I delivered this piece and snapped a pic, was that this would be one of my last ever floral deliveries.

I was a florist for over 20 years. I started my first solo floral design studio (flowers by foss) in 2000. I loved that work. And sometimes I miss it.

But I am also so incredibly grateful for the turn that my work has taken. The plants always called to me. Digging deep and nurturing roots for a life long relationship with a growing thing. Helping others to learn how to do the same. This calls to me on a deep level.

Yes, I am grateful for this work life that I’ve built.

And, today I pour a little out for this gorgeous little floral arrangement that was one of my last.

Ask me a plant question! I’ll answer it in my stories 🪴