The Foreshadowing of a Few Spring Bulbs

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is plant spring blooming bulbs like Daffodils, Narcissus, Tulip, Crocus, Scilla, Fritillaria, Anemone blanda, and an assortment of other bulbs. Sometimes planting by headlamp at the end of a workday (thanks to daylight savings time) I eagerly invest my time in burying these little treasures away knowing that the anticipation of their arrival is a source of hope and excitement during those cold winter days. Unnoticed they root in and grow until those early spring blossoms announce, "The time has come to celebrate who we are!" There is newness of life that is fresh, invigorating, hopeful, and beautiful.
In this picture, the flowering bulbs (tulips and daffodils) act almost as a foreshadowing for this couple. Here on their first date to Prom, love was planted, growing quietly over the next few years until the time was right for them to declare, "The time has come for us to celebrate - we're getting married!"
I snapped this picture almost 5 years ago of my son, Robert - a high school junior, and this mystery girl named Caitlin - a sophomore. Their friendship and growing love has been as natural as a bulb in good soil. This coming July my husband and I, her parents, and a host of friends and family will celebrate who they are together! The love I see between them is fresh, invigorating, hopeful, and beautiful.
There is joy in knowing that things like bulbs and young love are planted, and given time to grow can then provide such loveliness for so many to enjoy.
Congratulations on your engagement, Robert and Caitlin. I love you both!
Robert and Caitlin at their engagement party.