Roses symbolize love and hydrangeas symbolize, well, some say vanity. Others say that a bouquet of hydrangeas expresses the giver’s gratefulness for the recipient’s understanding, or anything that is sincerely heartfelt. Does that mean love? As I think about this beautiful bouquet, recently carried by my beautiful new daughter-in-law, it seems to me that the hydrangeas in the background are not at all vain. They evoke long life and the importance of small things.

Drying Annabelle hydrangeas is one of my annual pursuits. Hydrangeas last. They light up dark winter rooms. They work as Thanksgiving decorations, Christmas decorations, Easter decorations, ladies tea decorations, gourmet dinner decorations--you get the idea. To make them last, however, takes some sensitivity to their needs. One needs to be gentle with them. One needs to give them the occasional fresh air and a change of scenery. One needs to love them even when they have lost a petal or two.

Hydrangeas are large, but made up of so many small flowers. They remind us that the road to a happy marriage is long and not to be trounced through with combat boots, that we should not ignore the small things because they often turn out to be the big things. Roses may symbolize love,but it seems to me hydrangeas symbolize love that lasts--good for bridal bouquets. And homes.

Photo Courtesy of Carmen Schindler