Peonies in Bloom

The peony field is in full bloom right now, and I’m trying to make myself stop long enough to actually take it in.

This field has been a decade in the making — but not because the peonies have been here that long. Before this was a flower field, it was a project. A long one.

There was concrete to remove, dirt work to do, old buildings to take apart, outdoor construction projects to finish, and a whole lot of work that had nothing to do with flowers yet. For years, this space was more about cleanup, hauling, fixing, building, and holding onto the vision of what it could eventually become.

And now it looks like this.

Rows of peonies. Pink, white, red, and blush blooms opening across the field. Buckets filling up. Flowers being cut and sent out to homes, businesses, and celebrations. The blooms left behind are feeding the hives, and boy, are the bees happy about that!

One piece of flower farming that is especially hard for me is remembering to enjoy the moment. I’m constantly looking at what needs to be done this week, when the next round of planting needs to happen, and plans for flowers and the farm. I have to be future-focused and organized, because that is what keeps the season moving.

But it also means it’s easy to keep moving on to the next thing, because there is always a next thing.

This week feels like one of those moments where I need to pause and say to myself, “This was a lot of work. And it’s really good to see it becoming something beautiful.”

Peony season is so brief, which probably makes it feel even more special. We work toward it for years, wait through the winter, watch the buds swell in spring, and then suddenly the field is full. Before we know it, the flowers will be gone, and we'll anticipate next year's blooms.

This week, I’m thankful for the chance to enjoy it — and thankful that these flowers get to leave the field and become part of someone else’s week, too.