Are you a succulentologist? Sure, it’s not a real word, but it should be. Do you have your own collection of beautiful pastel happiness in plant form? Do you admire them even if you don’t have any yet? Perhaps you spend time scrolling through Instagram accounts dedicated solely to succulents. You definitely have a wish list a full page long of all the ones you want, whether you are just starting out or have an army of plants. All of these people are succulentologists in my eye.

My journey with succulents began in 2016. I was planning our spring 2017 wedding and just loved the idea of so many soft pastel colors. I was really excited about that little detail. Having always loved the plants, I never had any of my own. Our wedding planner/florist was also excited and loved the chance to do something different. The only problem was that she provided greenery with white roses. No succulents to be found. I was incredibly disappointed.

Later that year, my husband and I got pregnant with a little girl that we would never be able to bring home. A wonderful hospital chaplain suggested several ways to help process and grieve. The suggestion that stood out to me was a memorial garden. I immediately knew exactly what I was going to do and soon Wyatt’s garden took place.