06/05/2026
This garden feels a little bit like coming home.
Years ago, I worked in the office building that backs up to this space, the same place I was when Sonder first started. Every day, I’d walk past and admire the colorful zinnias planted in the front bed. I still remember telling Mitch how beautiful I thought it was (and asking if I could cut some flowers 😉).
Then I dove head first into self employment, followed by the world pausing, and onward to also starting a plant shop.
When I owned the plant shop years ago, I spent countless hours searching & dreaming about a little plot of green space downtown. A place to grow plants, create refuge, build community.
It’s funny how life works. Sometimes the universe moves people, things, and even businesses out of your way. Not as a loss, but to make room for growth. To shape you into the person capable of carrying the dream. To make room for something more aligned than you could have imagined. I always say when you put something out into the universe, don’t expect the metal at the end of the marathon. Expect the shoes and the road ahead.
Fast forward, where the opportunity found me. Not in the form I expected, but better than I imagined. Becca at planting the seed and the two of us scheming ever since.
There was a tremendous amount of trust and blind faith placed in me by Hal and the team at HCB. They handed me the reins, gave me the freedom to choose what would be planted here, and entrusted me with the care and stewardship of this garden. For that, I am incredibly grateful and still a little mind blown.
As phase 1 is wrapped up, I want to extend thanks toward friends, plant lovers, and kiddos who have shown up and given their time, energy, encouragement, and belief to help bring this space back to life. And to Becca, for holding steadfast to a shared dream, even while my tiny shop remained across the way. And to HCB for the incredible opportunity.
Gardens are never built by one person alone. They grow through many hands, many hearts, and a shared belief that beautiful things are worth tending.
Here’s to honoring what came before, nurturing what’s here now, and dreaming of the future. ✨
