I’ve been wanting to share a bit of my story—how I found my way into gardening and floral design in the first place. In some ways, it all makes perfect sense. In others, the path here has been winding, unpredictable, and honestly, kind of wonderful.
My grandparents on both sides hold a very special place in my heart. They all grew up in the same little town I now call home, and they taught me the kind of lessons that stick—about hard work, integrity, and slowing down to enjoy the little things that life offers up when you’re paying attention.
My mom’s parents lived just five minutes away when I was growing up, and since they had a pool, we spent many of our summer days there. Every evening it didn’t rain, you could find my grandmother out in the yard with her long garden hose, watering her flowers in the warm, evening sun. Later on, she told me “ Flowers do best with God’s water, sunshine, and a little bit of encouragement.” (And yes, she meant talking to them.)
So I guess you could say I always respected flowers—even if my experience with them didn’t go much further than my grandmother’s garden gate.
After college, I found myself searching for something new—a job that felt different than anything I’d done before. That’s when Ashley entered the picture: my former high school basketball coach turned floral badass and CEO. She took a chance on me, hiring me into her flower shop in a tiny town, no experience, just a lot of curiosity and a deep willingness to learn.
At first, my job mostly involved sweeping up petals and stems, watching the designers closely, trying to absorb anything and everything. Eventually, I was trusted to actually touch the flowers—beyond just cleaning up their leftovers. My first few days designing were humbling. Ashley made it look easy, simple even. But I quickly learned that floral design is an art form. One you have to practice, cultivate, and grow into.
Those 13 months with Ashley were some of the best working months of my life. We made floral magic, listened to country music, talked about everything under the sun, and ate Novotny’s Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza at all kinds of odd hours (if you know, you know). Without her, Heavenly Blooms wouldn’t exist.
The origin of my love for flowers really began as a little girl in my grandmother’s backyard—but it fully blossomed under Ashley’s guidance. It’s because of these two women that I am where I am today.
Even now, I hear my grandmother’s voice every time I’m in my garden. I smile when it rains in the summer, knowing my blooms are getting a good drink of “God’s water.” And I hear Ashley in my head too—reminding me not to sell myself short, that running a business can be really stinking hard, and that sometimes, pizza really can fix things.
My flower journey is still unfolding—and I’m so grateful you’re here for it. Thank you for trusting me with your weddings, your celebrations, your losses. Thank you for letting me create beside you. Thank you for supporting this little dream of mine.
“Thank you” doesn’t feel quite big enough—but for now, it will have to do.
To My Sweet Baby Girl as you begin an amazing journey loving, planting, watering, and yes – even singing to God’s beautiful creations that we call flowers. With His help and your talent He gave you for choosing the right flowers and colors and arranging them into gifts of beauty that bring great joy to people’s hearts – you will have a lifetime of happiness. I’m so proud of you Hannah Banana and I’ll love you forever. (“ Uh Puh Chuh best floral arranger….”). ♥️ Gramma