We interrupt this report of life on the farm for an in-depth review of LOVE on the farm.
This Saturday, we will be closing the farm for a very special celebration - our girl Harleigh is getting married❤️
Who is Harleigh? In short, an amazing soul who has grown with me on this journey through life.
Harleigh came to me as a fresh, 15-year-old daughter of one of my childhood best friends. She quietly worked all summer putting money away for that first vehicle. She would talk about the joys and discouragements of car shopping and learn about flowers and a love for the lasting wings of butterflies she collected and preserved.
She proved her worth in the flower fields, reminding me of myself as a young buck. She traveled to weddings when I needed an extra set of hands and even did independent presentations about the truths of flower farming to organizations in the community.
She took countless photos of the farm as the business grew. We needed it captured and she found her rhythm as a photographer. She even experienced the thrill of having her work published!
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She took on the design table, spearheaded the Victory Garden, and helped us in any way she could. She became a special part of our family and it was a blessing she choose to share hers with us from the start.
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After a while, we began convincing her brother and sister that this was hands down the best place to work and eventually, it worked. We’ve had all three of those kids on our payroll at one time or another.
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I watched her meet a boy and fall in love… and then later test that relationship by chasing her dreams and leaving home to see the world.
She was growing at a faster rate than me all the while riding some of the biggest roller coasters of life and all I could think was what a real privilege to be allowed to ride it with her. My love beyond my own family grew in a way I never knew.
When she returned home, she got a job at the local paper where we got to watch her share beautifully-written stories of our community. Naturally, she even covered her favorite flower farm from time to time. Today, Harleigh’s career has brought her back to the flowers, with a job working in native plants.
This weekend I get to watch her wed that boy she fell in love with in the flower fields. While we don’t offer weddings on the farm, this will be a special exception of the most beautiful kind - a ceremony to honor the growth of love. We love ya to the moon Harleigh!!!
