I Get It

I should compile a short list of the things I "didn't get" when I was in my 20's: Interior decorating. People who enjoyed yard work. Coupon cutting.

Also on that list? People who liked to putter around in their garden.

Now, in our first year of turning out a successful garden: I get it.

I get why people are so excited about ordering seeds and buying vegetable plants at the local stand. I get why people find joy in seeing green unfurl from the dark, rich soil. I get why people find a reason to poke around their garden at least once a day, and most of all: I totally get the satisfaction of going out to your back yard, picking a few vegetables and cooking them up for dinner.

It's kind of awesome.

Year after year, I bought zucchini, squash, green beans, beets and tomatoes from the grocery store and local farm stands. Not this year. Now they're (miraculously) growing in our very own raised beds. In fact, I have so many more things I want to grow next year, that we are pondering doing a regular garden again so we'll have more room.

Yet another added benefit to growing our own vegetables? Watching our kids enjoy them. I had pulled some carrots out, rinsed them, and set them down on one of our lawn chairs. I had my back turned for a second, and when I came back, what did I see?

My picky eater, Rosie, chowing down on the carrots like there was no tomorrow. There was two carrot greens at her feet, and the remainder of the third carrot disappeared in a loud crunch. Buddy did the same thing with green beans the next day. It has been nothing short of amazing to me.

I had forgotten the liberty kids feel when they can access food (garden veggies, berries off bushes) by themselves, whenever they want.

The whole garden experience: I get it now.