Honestly it can be frustrating coming home for the summer: curfew, cars, rules, expectations, obligations, Eli, Sam, and last but not least the flower shop that happens to occupy the space directly below my bedroom. Did you know that the bustling mitochondria of the Holly Heider Chapple Flowers cell exists just below my bed? Day in, day out flowers flowers flowers. I will tell you, as a kid I did not like my mom’s business.

I mean, before this past summer, I was sure the most I had inherited from my mother was cheekbones and blonde hair, an appreciation for landscaping and a love for fresh produce. I thought I would never like floristry. And then I changed. Perhaps it’s like a palate maturing, like a child who hated asparagus and all of a sudden can’t get enough of it in adulthood… like a switch, I loved flower arranging. My fingers itched and my eyes admired like they never had before.

In retrospect there seems to be a lot that brought this on. While at school, I was deprived of greenery and flowers and honestly it was depressing. And when I returned home, it was flowers galore. I mean you should see my parent’s gardens. They are literally inspiring. On top of that, I got to see my mom in her element more than ever before. Recently she has had the opportunity to be so creative and productive. I’m pretty sure my mom did a photo shoot every week and those are special because my mom gets to experiment.  I think this summer both she and I rediscovered the art in her practice. Also, I met many many inspiring florists. At least 20 Chapel Designers. I also observed (and even participated in!!!) some of her classes.

I’m telling you, I got spoiled. And because of this all, I fell in love. I went from a kid who never gave a $#%@ about flower arranging to an adult who is thinking about forgoing all of my other plans to join my mother in this career.

So here I am, facing some big life changes as I enter my last year of college and I’m opening myself up to this new, flowery world.

That’s why I’m writing to you today. My mom and I decided that, as a good introduction to her business, I could start as a staff writer for her blog. If I like it, that’s a good sign. If I’m good at it, an even better sign.

To you, the reader, I’m offering * hopefully * a new perspective into this operation. Nobody knows the infamous Holly Chapple like I do. Nobody knows my family dynamics like I do. And honestly, I probably know as much about how my mom runs her business as she does. I’ve been an active participant and observer in this crazy thing my whole life. So this is it, the inside scoop provided by me. Are you ready?

And yes. Moving back home is hard. Being thrown into the craziness that is Holly Heider Chapple Flowers and the Chapple Family is difficult… but going back to school is harder. I miss my family as soon as I leave. I miss my goofy siblings and my hardworking parents and I miss flowers. God, I miss flowers. So please don’t hate my writing, this is as close as I get to home when I’m many miles away.

Here it goes, the great experiment, my internship as an HHCF’s writer. Wish me luck!!!!!