I’ve known since high school that I wanted to be a florist. My very first floral design class sparked something in me that never went away. That passion led me to BYU–Idaho, where I graduated with a degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Floral Design.

Halfway through my degree, I created my own internship on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, (all of the other internship were only local to Utah and Idaho and I wanted something different) where I trained with florist Carol Kimura. For three months, I lived on her mountainside farm, cutting tropical flowers with a machete, occasionally crossing paths with wild boars, and learning the art of design in her shed. I surfed on the weekends and learned to hula.

After Kauai, my journey continued to Guatemala, where I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While sharing the light of Jesus Christ, I also had the chance to teach women floral design, blending my love of flowers with service.

Once I graduated, I worked in flower shops and then became both florist and wedding planner at North Hampton House in American Fork—a dream job for a single girl with big ambitions! I also launched my own business, Simple Petals, which has grown with me through every chapter of my life. Not long after, I took a sabbatical in Europe, living in Belgium and traveling to places like the coast of England and Dijon, France for 3 months. I studied under talented florists, often communicating with hand-drawn pictures and gestures when language was a barrier. Those months abroad were life-changing and shaped the florist I am today.

When I returned, I deepened my skills working in wholesale at Red Mountain and Mountain Bloom. That’s where I met my sweetheart, Aaron, in what we now call “our moment”—a flower toss gone wrong (or maybe right!) that hit me in the eye. That moment bloomed into a marriage, three children, and a life full of adventures together.

Through Simple Petals, I’ve been blessed to design for countless weddings, honor loved ones through funeral florals, and celebrate life’s biggest milestones—anniversaries, baby showers, Mother’s Days, and everything in between. I love that my business gives me the flexibility to be present with my kids while still doing what I love most.

Today, I also serve as the SLC BYU–Idaho Alumni Chapter Chair and work with A Bolder Way Forward, a nonprofit empowering women and girls across Utah to build thriving businesses. My faith continues to ground me—I love my church community, teach Zumba, grow and can my garden veggies, visit the temple with my husband, and sharing God’s love wherever I can.

Floral design isn’t just my career—it’s my calling. From Hawaii to Belgium, Guatemala to Utah, flowers have taken me on an unforgettable journey, and I feel grateful every day for the beauty, faith, and love they allow me to share.