Summer has always been my favorite season, especially spending time with my family in New Orleans. As a young girl I remember visiting my grandparents beautiful Victorian rose pink house with white trimming around it. Waking up every morning smelling my grandma's delicious biscuits, pancakes, beignets, and bacon cooked for the entire family, made me warm inside. I've always adored my mom and aunts smiling faces when they would see me sneak up on them. Their giggles were contagious and you couldn't help but giggle as well. Playing with my cousins was the highlight of my day, running around the front yard, laughing and screaming with joy. What made me happy was helping my dad, uncle, and grandpa in the garden, admiring each flower you can think of. But there was on particular flower that stood out from the rest. A flower so mesmerizing and I still remember my dad saying the name of it, Marigold. Now that I'm a college student, I still visit my grandparents house every summer even though they are no longer with us. My mom and aunt always made sure that the house stayed the same as it did before. Especially that beautiful rose pink and white trim around the house, but I couldn't wait to see my favorite area that brought back memories. Sure enough the garden was still there and every flower I remembered. And there it was, beautiful as I imagined before but this time more marigold flowers had grown around the original one. The night I arrived, my family called a meeting about turning the house into a bed and breakfast which my grandparents planned on starting when I was a little girl but never had the chance. So now my mom and aunt had turned their parents dream into a reality. The day had finally arrive to welcome tourists and travelers to our family home. Hopefully our future guests will enjoy some southern hospitality as they visit New Orleans. As I'm helping around the house with our guests, I noticed a little girl in the garden looking around, it brought back memories. Right then and there I felt like that little girl again smiling on the inside. Happiness immediately came over me remembering the time I had with my family. I decided to approach the little girl and ask her if she likes the flowers in the garden. With a big smile on her pretty little face, she pointed directly to the marigold. The joy in her eyes was the same joy I had in my eyes as well. It was something magical about my grandparents garden that I couldn't explain. Just in that moment, I realized love was always embedded in my family and the house I grew up in. As I watch my family take care of the guests, I noticed how elated and relaxed everyone was. I'm pretty sure that this new chapter in our lives will remain for a long time and a memory that is going to last forever. Meeting new people everyday and hearing their stories brightens my day. As the years pass by, things back home hasn't changed, even our families bed and breakfast is still open for travelers that we welcome as family. Every now and then I would visit just to spend time at the house like old times. Happiness and love has taught me to value the ones close to you no matter what. Having a family of my own now, I plan on creating memories that will last a lifetime. I even started my own garden in my back yard, growing every flower you can think of and yes the one I admired as a little girl. My love for summer will always have a place in my heart more so now.
About the Creator
Jasmine Filmore
My name is Jasmine Filmore and I'm from Beaumont, Texas. I'm very passionate about reading, writing, and singing. My husband and son are my biggest supporters. I am a Christian and love spending time with my family. 💕
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The Beauty of Life
Nowadays true love is hard to find but it's also rare to find that special someone. What if I told you that your soul mate has been around you for over 12 years. Would it ever cross your mind that a friend so close to you that you've known forever, could possibly be your life partner? I didn't think that would happen to me until it actually happened. Over 12 years ago I met a young man named Brent who was charming, sweet, kind and out spoken. Little did I know he was going to be my husband one day. I knew that Brent was different from the other guys I've dated. Every time we would hang out, he would always ask me about my goals in life and I would ask him the same. Over the years we had grown close and feelings arose. The previous relationships I had were rocky and I was so uneasy about dating again. Surprisingly it was the same for him as well. But eventually that changed when I opened up to him. So one day I decided to tell Brent how I really felt and he was very hesitant about it. I understood why he was uneasy and afraid to take that risk. Love can hurt sometimes and I was willing to show him that he can trust me. Once he saw that I wasn't like other women, things changed drastically between us. When we started dating, our feelings for each other were undeniable and unbreakable. It was like we were meant for one another and you could see that the love was there. As the years passed, we decided to move in together and that's when things had gotten serious. The feeling of being in love was so strong even we had our disagreements. As the years went by, something magical occurred, till this day I still remember what happened. On November 19, 2019, his family had planned a birthday party for his grandmother but little did I know it was bigger than that. While enjoying myself, I didn't think the unexpected. So the photographer there made sure everyone took a picture, then something strange came about. I noticed how his entire family gathered around us when it was our turn to take a picture. Next thing I know Brent was on one knee, asking for my hand in marriage and of course I said yes. A year later we decided to get married in July and till this day we are still in love with each other. Fast forward to now, my husband and I are still going strong even though disagreements happen every now and then. I've learned that no matter what it's important to talk about how you feel with your significant other and they should do the same. Every thing works out when you talk it out with the other partner. My husband has showed me his way on how to love and I showed him my way as well. The most beautiful thing about our relationship is communication and expressing our feelings to each other. I believe that's what makes a bond so amazing and strong in a marriage and a relationship. Never thought in a million years my best friend would be my soul mate. So I ask again, would it ever cross your mind that a friend so close to you that you've known forever, could possibly be your life partner? Not just a friend or life partner but someone you'll love forever. That's the beautiful thing about life.
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