TW: This page discusses suicide and mental health.
This is a condensed version of my story, I won’t get into all the complexities, but I’m always willing to talk if you’re going/been through something similar.
I lost my younger brother to suicide, and navigating that grief while also struggling with my own anxiety and depression felt overwhelming. I had to quit my retail florist job I had at the time, I couldn’t handle the demanding customers when it all felt so trivial. While I didn’t have a job, I focused on my mental health, going to therapy more frequently and seeking help for medication. With all this I was able to reach out to Katie. We had met at that same flower shop, I remember us connecting over 90’s grunge music, and I thought she was so cool for starting her own business. Katie started “SunflowerKate Florals” in 2020 during the pandemic, taking on weddings and doing all of the work and set-up by herself. I started helping Katie with weddings in 2022, falling in love with floristry again. By the end of the year, she was on maternity leave and I was helping her run the business. When I reached out to her, I never thought I’d be so involved with everything, but I was so grateful, to not only have this job but a friend, and an escape from my grieving. In the midst of that pain, I found solace in flowers. Working with my hands, creating something beautiful, and seeing the joy that flowers bring to others gave me a sense of purpose when I needed it most.
Throughout all this, Katie and her husband were awaiting news on where he would end up for his cardiology fellowship. He matched at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, where they would soon move. We had lots of talks about how we were handling weddings in 2023, I’d be handling the physical side of everything, while she was in Omaha handling booking and the virtual side of things. But ultimately she offered to sell, and my husband and I decided we wanted to travel down this road of owning a small business. Here we are in 2025, now Lovebug Florals.
To me, floristry is more than just arranging flowers—it’s about emotion, connection, and telling a story. Whether it’s a wedding, an intimate celebration, or a moment of remembrance, I put my heart into every arrangement. I believe flowers should feel personal, organic, and full of life—just like the moments they celebrate.
Through my work, I hope to not only bring beauty into my clients' lives but also to remind people that even in the darkest moments, there is light. There is love. And there is always something blooming, even after the hardest seasons.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support.