Falling in Love: Kawachi Fuji-en Wisteria Garden
I am a city girl.
Meaning? I would choose a shoe closet over a garden balcony any day.
Being raised in the suburbs with a large garden and a mother who has a bonded relationship with her botanical “children,” I grew up with zero desire for such.
As human nature dictates, you crave the opposite of what you’re used to.
It wasn’t until I walked into the Kawachi Fuji-en Wisteria Tunnel.
As I write this, I can still remember the feeling of stepping inside as I froze in disbelief. Then I sighed. Then I nearly cried.
As you saw in the video… It was swift, soft and sudden: like falling in love for the very first time.
Where your heart is racing whilst the gushing wind softly whispers in your ear as an ecstatic giddiness surges through you and yet makes you weak in your knees.
Everything and nothing all at once.
It was magic. Absolute magic.
Mesmerized from jaw-drop-at-first-sight, who knew flowers propped up in tunnel form could be so inexplicably life-changing?
“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.” ~ French Proverb
I once read somewhere that people are like flowers as we bloom at different speeds; some slower or faster than others.
Similarly, we cannot force flowers to bloom: they will at their own pace, place and time.
Truth be told, I am a late bloomer.
And with every experience I find myself in, another tunnel to and from my heart opens up more and more and more.
Yes, I may have been surrounded by magical wisteria blooms but I find that it was me who was awakened that spring morning in May 2015.
I was introduced to a new side of myself, one that I never, ever thought possible: to be nature-loving.
Since then, if you’ve seen my Instagram posts, I’ve visited many gardens, fields and valleys to peak my desire for all things flora – particularly in, with the love of my traveling heart, Japan.
And it all started here in this very garden, tucked away in the outskirts of Fukuoka.
We all believe we are set in our ways. We have set labels for others and ourselves and at a certain ripe age, we believe we have already reached our peak.
I encourage you to think beyond that.
For as long as we are alive, realize that the ability to ‘bloom’ beyond our understanding has no expiration date.
You are allowed to change your mind – about yourself, your tastes and your beliefs: That is growth.
Though my desire for real plants in my own crib has had a funny case of stunted growth, I will certainly keep searching the world for the next floral offerings of spring.
Anyone here a late bloomer like me? Still get painfully awkward at the most random times, lol? I know I do. Always.
Love & light,
Bianca
Location : Kawachi Fuji-en Wisteria Garden, Fukuoka, Japan
Hair Color by Danny Katalbas of Basement Salon, SM Aura