Mother’s Day is practically here! With the combination of spring and mamas, May is the perfect month for flowers. A vase of fresh flowers at the table is a simple and beautiful way to add elegance, coziness, and beauty to your kitchen. It’s funny, because I didn’t always realize how much I love a vase of fresh flowers. My mom never really had flowers in our home, because she prefers practical gifts, and so I thought I was the same way.


However, I’ve always enjoyed seeing flowers outside. When I lived in Northern California as a teenager, I absolutely loved when our Camellia bushes were in bloom. They lined the back of our home, and it was absolutely gorgeous when they were in their peak.


I also remember as a really young girl, living in Provo, Utah. Our apartment’s parking lot was behind the building, I loved riding my bike around the building, and I particularly loved when the Northern fence was in bloom- it was covered in beautiful purple flowers, and I loved picking one off and sucking the sweet nectar out of the plant. I still don’t know what type of flower it was (so I guess it’s a good thing it wasn’t poisonous!), but that memory brings me joy.


And flowers really do bring me so much joy. Last month when my husband and I were driving all over North Carolina to find a place we might call home, my breath was taken away when I saw my first pink Magnolia tree. A gigantic tree, covered in graceful, perfectly pink blooms. And they were ALL OVER North Carolina. And I still got excited each time I saw one. I told my husband that wherever we end up in the state, I wanted to plant a pink Magnolia tree.


Another flower that brings special memories for me is the lilac bush. They may only be in bloom for a couple weeks here in Utah, but oh are they worth it! Another plant that just takes my breath away. We had a lilac bush planted in front of my home in Northern California. It was right in front of my bedroom window, and I absolutely loved when you could smell lilac throughout my room due to those fragrant blooms. When I was 16 I met and began dating a very cute young man (who is now my husband ;) ). And guess what happened to be planted in front of his home? Two giant lilac bushes. Almost like a sign, right? ;)


And now as I think about leaving the city of Santaquin, Utah, I definitely feel sadness about all the people I will be leaving- but also the gorgeous view of the mountains, and the orchards surrounding our area! I love going for a run through the orchards- but especially in the spring. Running or driving through an orchard full of blooming cherry trees is a recipe for automatic happiness. Oh how I’ll miss those flowers! And of course, all the sunflowers that are in bloom throughout Santaquin. It’s one of my favorite things about fall here!


As I’ve grown older and created my own home, I’ve realized that I really DO enjoy having a vase of fresh flowers inside my home, in addition to all the beauty outside.They really do bring me so much joy, and serve as a reminder of how much my Heavenly Father loves me. If you ever doubt that you are loved, go buy yourself a bouquet of flowers and remember that a divine being created this whole earth- and He added a whole plethora of breathtakingly beautiful flowers- simply to give us joy. Sure, flowers can serve many purposes- but He didn’t have to make them as beautiful as they are. That is simply because He loves us.

So for Mother’s Day, don’t hesitate to buy those flowers for your mama or your wife. And especially don’t hesitate to buy them for yourself if you don’t have someone that will give you flowers- create your own joy and treat yourself! And remember that you are loved.

Happy Mother’s Day!

    Camille Hoffmann
    Monthly Newsletter Contributor since 2014
    Email the author! camille@dvo.com