I did the math recently, and it honestly caught me off guard. This year marks 15 years of Thursdays at the Laurier Market.
It actually goes back even further than Floramama. I spent my first two seasons there with Les Jardins de la Grelinette, learning the craft and selling beautiful, freshly harvested vegetables. Later, when I started Floramama, I simply traded vegetables for flowers. (And yes… I even got the year wrong in my book! Floramama actually started in 2013, not 2014. Oops!)
Fifteen years of seeing your smiles, hearing your kind words, and sharing little moments with you every week. I honestly feel so lucky. That's the best reward I could ever ask for.
To me, the market has always been about people first.
The first time you stop by, we meet. Maybe you ask a few questions about the flowers—if you're feeling brave!—and leave with a bouquet just to give it a try.
Then you come back.
Maybe not every week because, let's be honest, flowers are a little luxury. But you start noticing that something feels different when there's a bouquet waiting for you at home.
The next time we meet, you tell me how incredibly long your flowers lasted. Little by little, you learn about vase life, harvest stages, what's in season, and before long, you've become a true expert on locally grown flowers.
Then comes the best part.
You start asking when the ranunculus season will end because you don't want to miss them. You can't wait for the first dahlias of the summer because you've been looking forward to them just as much as I have.
You get caught up in my little flower obsession, and I absolutely love it.
I experiment with new colour palettes, unusual varieties, and flowers that may not last forever in a vase but are simply too beautiful not to grow (I'm looking at you, poppies!).
Every Wednesday, while we're making bouquets for the Thursday market, I'm thinking about you.
Some weeks I'm especially excited because I love how the bouquets turned out. Other weeks, I'm a little less convinced. But I always trust you. I know you have an eye for beauty, and that's exactly why we keep finding each other week after week.
Over the years, you've gotten to know me—but I've gotten to know you, too.
Some of you don't say much. Others love to chat. I truly enjoy every single one of those moments.
There are people I see every week for their flower "fix." At that point, we hardly need words anymore. You pick up your weekly bouquet, we exchange a smile or a nod, like two old cowboys tipping their hats. We both know exactly why we're there, and somehow, nothing else needs to be said.
The market has changed me in ways I never expected.
Meeting all of you helped me grow.
When I first started, every Thursday felt intimidating. Talking to so many strangers was exhausting for this introvert, and after every market I couldn't wait to get home to the quiet, the countryside... and the stars.
I've changed a lot since then.
Tomorrow, after four hours at the market, I'm meeting a friend for tennis with people I've never met before. Then we're heading out for dinner with another group of strangers. And honestly? That sounds like a wonderful evening to me.
I almost never dread those moments anymore because, without even realizing it, you've helped me practice.
You've helped me become more comfortable being myself.
Thank you for your patience, your curiosity, your encouragement, and for coming back week after week.
I don't know how many more years I'll have the privilege of spending Thursdays at the Laurier Market.
But one thing I know for sure is this:
Every one of you will always hold a special place in my heart.
