By Missy Rolfe - flower truck owner,
author of Lena’s Zinnias children’s book

Have you ever just felt blocked or like barricades are in your way when you’ve tried something?  I know I have.  But over the past year, “suddenly” something amazing happened in my life when I intentionally partnered with God.  I still can’t believe how something ‘planted in my heart’ long ago is now in full bloom!

Some of my favorite memories of time spent at my Grandma’s house were the times we walked around her big yard and looked at all of her flowers and other things she’d planted.  It happened almost every time I visited her, and I loved it.  Little did I know then the seeds God was planting in my heart and just how much I was learning from my Mom and Grandma about flowers and more.  And, little did I know how it would all come full circle in my empty nest years.

I’ve always loved flowers.  My very first job when I was 15 was working part time for the florist in our little town. Fast forward several years to college where I met my husband on a blind date.  (Yep, it does happen)!  We married a few years after we graduated and bought our first house.  We were excited to have our first place, and I loved having a yard where I could plant my own flowers.  I got starts of things (seedlings, flower and stem cuttings) from my Mom and Grandma for our new yard and that encouraged my growing love for gardening.

As years went by, I planted more and more in my flower garden.  We moved a couple times and I always got starts of things from my Mom and Grandma to get the garden and landscaping going at our new place.  Our two kids came along, and as they grew, they learned about my love for flowers.  Many years for Mother’s Day, I asked for a trip to the nursery and time to plant the treasures I found.

The kids grew up in what seemed like no time and before we knew it, we were empty nesters.  I often wondered what in the world I was going to do with myself when they were gone.  I knew our job was to raise them and send them out on whatever path God had prepared for them, but it was hard.  They both moved out of state and although I was super proud of them and felt sure they were going where they felt called to go, I still had to grieve that season being over.  I often prayed and asked God for direction and my “what next?”  I had a job I enjoyed but felt like I had more in me and gifts I wasn’t really using.

Then spring of 2020 came, and with it, the pandemic.   I found myself working from home and with a lot more downtime. During that time, I felt more and more creativity stirring.  I planted more flowers than ever and would often make up little mason jars full and leave on the porch of a friend needing a little pick-me-up or having a birthday.  The jars always included zinnias, which are a family favorite.  The zinnias we grow are started from seeds that originated from my Grandma’s zinnias.  Lena’s zinnias.  That’s what I would call them, and I loved having the reminder of my Grandma in my yard.

I don’t know about you, but creative sparks happen for me at odd times.  Often during the mundane tasks of life.  One evening in the summer of 2020, I was making dinner.  Browning ground beef for tacos to be exact.  I’m not sure if it was a Tuesday (get it? Taco Tuesdays?), but anyway. . . Lena’s Zinnias kept ringing in my mind and then what seemed like out of nowhere, a little rhyme about the zinnias came to mind.  Then a little more and a little more.  Before I knew it, God had downloaded into my imagination what I thought could be a sweet children’s book called, Lena’s Zinnias.  I stopped what I was doing and jotted down everything I could remember.  I let it sit for a few days and then added a little more.  It took me a little time, but I finally got up the nerve to read it to my daughter, son and husband and they all agreed I might be on to something.

I had no idea that God was just getting started with the plans He had for me.  A bit later, I started thinking about small business ideas around the jars of blooms I’d often make for friends.  I wondered if others might like them too?   More and more ideas started percolating and I kept dreaming.  By this time, it was August and things with the lockdown had eased up a bit.  My husband and I were able to take a little trip to Michigan to get away and relax.  On one of my morning walks, I was listening to the podcast of a favorite author and speaker, Jill Savage.  I’d followed Jill for years, starting when my kids were little, and I’d attended some conferences where Jill was a speaker.  She felt like a trusted resource and I noticed on her website that she did coaching calls.  I thought, “That’s it!  I need a call with Jill!”

I knew I had lots of ideas and by this time, I also had a manuscript for the book and needed some honest feedback.  I also needed help deciphering next steps.  I made the appointment for the call and just as I thought, Jill was super helpful and so encouraging.  One thing led to another and I was connected with an editor and a publisher.  Suddenly, the book was on its way!   Only God could orchestrate that.  He also orchestrated the beginning of my flower business, Honeybee Flower Boutique, which I started in Sept 2020 out of my home.

I was happy doing my little home-based business alongside my full-time job and working on the book.  My daughter, an art teacher and gifted artist, was illustrating the book and although stressful at times, I cherished the time working with her from afar on our project. Then another thought came to mind:  “How can we take the flowers to the people?”  I just kept thinking we needed to share the joy that flowers bring with more people.  I’d remembered seeing flower trucks in other parts of the country and thought, “That’s it!”  But then I also thought, “Am I crazy?”

Just for fun, I thought about what my dream truck would look like.  I even did a Google search for it and… what do you know?  It popped up in the form of a 1967 Ford Ranger, automatic (because I’ve never learned to drive a stick) in my favorite color, turquoise and white.  She had a name -- Rosalee -- and she was in Florida.  I made a call to the couple who had her for sale due to a medical crisis.  It felt like talking to an old friend when I talked to the owner.  I told her I was interested in Rosalee being my new flower truck.  Silence for a minute.  And then she said, “I would love that.  I have a folder full of pictures of flower trucks. Knowing she’d be going to do that would make it so much easier to let her go, and we can follow her adventures on social media.”  

The only way something like that can come to be is our Heavenly Father planning it in advance.  He did.   He prompted my Google search that led me to Rosalee.  I firmly believe that.  And with my awesome husband supporting me in this new dream, she became a part of our family.

Early on when my ideas for the book and business were forming, I was listening to a podcast on another walk.  This time it was John Eldredge, and he was talking about consecrating our plans to God.  I started praying from that day and told God I was consecrating the book and plans for my business to Him. “It’s not about me, it’s about You, God.  How can I use my gifts and love for flowers and creativity?  How can I help share joy and help others share joy?”

Rosalee recently finished her first photo shoot with a local photographer.  She was rented out for the day, and I decked her out with tons of flowers.  Families scheduled mini sessions to have photos taken, and I got to stop by and see the joy and fun they were having!  I’m so blessed to help facilitate that.

Earlier in the same week our book was released (quicker than expected!) and it’s been doing well.  Again, I say it’s all God and I’m so grateful and blessed.  It’s His timing too.  Who knew all of this would happen in the span of a week?

On Mother’s Day weekend, Rosalee had her first flower truck pop up where people could stop by and build their own bouquet or one for their mom.  It was an absolute delight to see the joy being experienced from Rosalee and my flowers.

When I look back on what God has done in the past year of my life, which was the first year of my truly empty nest, I’m simply amazed.  I wouldn’t say it has been easy.  Starting a business and writing a book takes time, work, and energy.  But unlike times of the past, I haven’t felt blockages or barricades.  When I said, “OK God, I’m partnering with You.  Your will, Your way…”  I felt Him leading me step by step, opening every door in His perfect timing.

What dreams are ‘planted’ in your heart?  God knows what they are, and He can grow them no matter what season of life you are in.  He has filled my empty nest with beautiful blooms!

About Missy Rolfe

 Missy Rolfe is a wife, mom of two, and the founder of Honeybee Flower Boutique in Wildwood, Missouri.  Her “partner” in the business is Rosalee, a 1967 vintage flower truck making her appearance at pop ups, events and photo shoots.  Missy’s love of flowers passed down from her Mother and Grandmother, Lena, also inspired the children’s book Lena’s Zinnias published just in time for Mother’s Day.   

Missy’s reSOURCES:

Lena’s Zinnias children’s book, written by Missy Rolfe/Illustrated by Sydney Rolfe

Honeybee Flower Boutique on Facebook and Instagram

Jill Savage “No More Perfect” podcast

John Eldredge “Wild at Heart” podcast