I remember the feeling of leaving college for Spring Break. Saying goodbye to all of my friends knowing I would see them the next week. I packed my bag with a few outfits as I shut the door to my college apartment bedroom, not knowing that I wouldn’t see that room again until three months later. I was so excited for a trip to Idaho with some of my best high school friends, until this trip got cancelled. I guess I wasn’t aware that this was all really happening. I thought, maybe, it will pass in a few months. But as this virus spread, I found myself sanitizing everything, avoiding going out, and becoming anxious about what school would turn into. That day, March 18th, Oregon State University sent out a mass student email. All of our Spring Term would be moved online, therefore, I would not be returning to school. I remember getting texts asking what my friends were going to do, whether my roommates were going to return as well, and how we were all going to make it a term to remember. As tough as it was, my family decided that I would be staying home instead of going back down to school. As much as this hurt, I knew it was the best and safest thing. Through this time period, there were lots of facetime calls, homework time outside, and learning to be patient in the waiting.
Ever since I was 13, I would do Farmers Markets selling our fresh cut peonies alongside my Mom and my sister. Every year, I would save up for something different. In middle school, I saved up for my first bike, an Electra turquoise blue cruiser with pink flowers. It was one of my proudest purchases. The next year was my Washington DC trip for school. Many people supported me and watched me grow at this market, and I built so many relationships with people who have paved the way for my future, even though they may not know it. In high school, the markets helped pay for the cost of my cheer uniforms. While in college, I would come home on the weekends in the Spring to work the markets. This market got me through college, and helped me with the many expenses college can bring. To everyone who has attended the Lake Oswego and Beaverton Farmers Market, thank you. From the bottom of my heart. It means the world to me to know all of you, and to grow alongside of you, your support means everything to me.
With the hit of COVID-19, there was a time period where Farmers Markets were not allowed to open. We had all these flowers, but nowhere for them to go. This was an issue we had never ran into before! But I knew that these flowers had to go somewhere, and they were meant to go somewhere special. I remember sitting outside on our patio with my Dad (probably day 57 of quarantine, if I’m guessing), and he asked me what I thought about an online business. He told me many people would turn to online shopping during this time, and flowers have always been a gift. They bring joy to anyone and everyone, no matter who you are! “So why don’t you spread that?” Spread that joy. That happiness, through these uncertain times. Be the change in a scary time. So there it was, I began a website.
“They bring joy to anyone and everyone, no matter who you are! So why don’t you spread that? Spread that joy.”
Not just a website, but an online business. Even though it took me 2.5 months to build, with some little road bumps, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It is nowhere perfect and is still far from it, but I know that overall it is providing a place to spread happiness, and that’s all I can wish for.
ความคิดเห็น