A Mother's Day Tradition
by Megan Compton, Education Assistant, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Mother’s Day 2008 during the concert in the auditorium.
Our first Mother’s Day Celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was actually before I even became a mom. My best friend’s father leads Glennroy and Company and we came to hear him play the Mother’s Day concert down at Bloemendaal House. It was a beautiful spring day and we relaxed and enjoyed listening to the music.
Mother’s Day 2009
When my daughter was born, it seemed natural to bring my family to the Garden for my first Mother’s Day as a mom. We arranged to meet my best friend, whose daughter is just 4 months older than mine. That day turned out to be a rainy one and the concert was held in the Education and Library Complex auditorium. Despite the torrential downpour, we had a wonderful time and decided to make Mother’s Day at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden a yearly tradition.
2010 Mother’s Day – Exploring Grace Arents Garden
Every year since, our families have met at the Garden for the Mother’s Day Concert. The girls love coming to hear “Pop Pop’s Band” and they spend hours dancing to tunes like “Kansas City” and “Under the Boardwalk.” Watching them grow up and change each year has been fascinating: from those early years where just the excitement of feeling the texture of the grass was thrilling, to smelling the peonies as they got a bit older, and now having deep, big-kid conversations about life.
Mother’s Day 2011 – Smelling the Peonies in Grace Arents Garden
The photos we have captured each year against such a beautiful backdrop of the Garden tell the story of the girls’ growing friendship and have provided us with such wonderful memories.
2012 Mothers Day – Dancing under the tent at Bloemendaal
I am looking forward to spending May 11th at the Garden this year with our families! We’ll purchase lunch from Meriwether Godsey down under the tent at Bloemendaal. They have options for the kids as well, and beverages to celebrate mom. We will eat a lovely lunch while listening to the smooth tunes of Glennroy and Company. The girls will have a great time dancing, exploring and visiting – what a perfect play-date! We have new additions to our families and it will be so special to continue this Mother’s Day tradition with them too.
2013 Mother’s Day – Having fun listening to the music!