08/08/2026
Where to begin….
Three years ago, my “little bro” Skip Askren from Askrens & Sons first told me about becoming a certified florist… and that one conversation changed everything.
It led me to earning my AzMF under Renee from Fred's Flowers and even more, to meeting the incredible Christina Ignatius AIFD EMC IMF PFCI AzMF And because of them…I was ALL IN for AIFD.
I took the test last year after a very complicated trip just to get to Palm Springs. I didn’t pass. I was so close—but close doesn’t count when you’re chasing something like this.
And still, I remember thinking… try again.
And that decision led to one of the most incredible years of growth I’ve ever had.
Workshops. Travel. Practice. Failure. Education. More practice. Tears. Encouragement. And some of the most incredible mentorship from Jenny Ingrum | Contemporary Floral Art, Christina Joyce Mason-Monheim and so many others who poured into me.
I walked into Florida this year feeling different. I could see my growth. I felt more confident. More prepared. And then…They called time. And I knew in my gut I didn’t do it the second they called time. I got in my head on my very first piece, and I just couldn’t fully recover.
Did I have a village praying for me? YES 🙏🏼
Did I have people cheering me on? YES
Did I give it everything I had? YES
Did I pass? NOPE…And honestly… that one hurts.
This journey has become so much bigger than AIFD. It’s been about the people. The mentors. The friendships. The late nights, the workshops, the breakthroughs, and the failures. It’s been about the people who saw something in me that I didn’t always see in myself and learning that sometimes you can give everything you have… and still not get the outcome you prayed for.
The floral world is beautiful. It’s hard. It’s humbling. It’s creative. And it’s full of some of the most generous, talented people I’ve ever met. And it’s where my heart is. So whether those letters ever come or not… I’m going to keep creating. Thank you Mom for being my forever cheerleader! You are my forever inspiration, Godly example of a Proverbs 31 woman and my BEST FRIEND! I love you! Jane Phillips and to the 4 Newman men in life… YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING!
