The Annual 113 First Ladies Luncheon in D.C.
I had the most great and honorable opportunity to be on the floral design team for the 113th First Lady luncheon in Washington DC! How fortuitous it landed on the same year as our countries 250th birthday.
I’m not sure how words and pictures can convey just how meaningful it was for me. But I’m gonna give it a try.
A friend of mine, Kelly Shore of The Floral Source suggested I submit an application to join the team. And I am so glad she did. It was thrilling to be notified I had been chosen to be a floral design volunteer.
I literally cried especially due to security reasons I couldn’t talk about until after the luncheon was over.
In the taxi on the way to my hotel seeing the Washington monument on the horizon for the very first time in my life moved me to awestruck tears.
American Grown Flowers sponsored the flowers with American grown farmers! Yes, ALL USA flowers!! From farms like mine. It was a real eye opener for me to realize and seeing first hand there are flower farms across the US growing local blooms and also exporting them.
There were so many flowers, so many to design that it was often overwhelming for me. Also the noise of that much going on took me by surprise. My nerves would often get the better of me. But what an unforgettable experience.
A feat to be sure, I mean to pull off florals for 250 tables. 4 huge floral arches for photo ops. 30+ head table pieces and the promenade runway. Not to mention 30+ ex-large “magnolia tree” like room arrangements with 30 designers in 3 days.
I arrived a day early to tour the monuments. Incredibly soul moving. The monuments are pristine and huge, some even breathtaking. My favorite Abraham Lincoln and standing where Martin Luther King gave his I have a dream speech. Spine tingling.
A couple of my favorite perks for volunteering my time and design skills is I got to attend the luncheon our get a private tour of the Capitol.
I’m forever changed. I loved the history of Agriculture is throughout. The reference to flowers is everywhere.
Then seeing and hearing the 1st lady Melana Trump speak, left me in curious awe. She is so real, compassionate. Brave.
The entire experience was one I was not prepared for in the respect of how emotional it was going to be. Before I went, I thought of myself as an American. Now I know I am.
I learned Capitol Hill belongs to us, Americans. Did you know the president isn’t allowed on the hill without an invasion from either the Congress or the Senate. The building is full of historic reverence and truth. If you’ve never been, put it on your list right now.
Considered one of Washington’s most exciting and historic events, the First Lady’s Luncheon is a bi-partisan luncheon of current and former spouses of Members of Congress, Administration officials, business leaders, philanthropists and friends of The Congressional Club Museum and Foundation, to honor The First Lady.
The fun part is the chair of the Congressional Club gets to choose the theme of each luncheon. This year was “Georgia on my mind” with magnolias, peach desert and Zac Brown. He was very close to my table.
He performed Chicken Fried, and the song Butterfly, which if you know this song you know the flood gates open and I could barely stop the tears every time I heard him sing the verse…
“Butterfly, you will see
aYou’re so much stronger than you think you are
You just have to believe
You can fly, mend your wings
Any moment, you can free yourself
And fly out of the darkness, butterfly”
And the part that makes me think of my boy.
“Like reflections on white powder snow
Your light was always bound to be shown
There’s a beauty in your eyes, it’s a wonder to behold”
Flowers helped me through my deep mothers grief by giving me a purpose by growing and sharing their beauty. If you’d like to hear more about my flower story click here.
Flowers have brought me opportunities I haven’t ever dreamed of, like designing for the 113 1st Ladies Luncheon held in Washington D.C.
What an honor, what a privilege.
Happy Birthday America!
