a Story Rooted in Love
tomato (solanum lycopersicum) & zinnia (zinnia elegans)
Together, as companions, the two grow well together to boost health, yielding new growth all around. They protect each other from harm while drawing beneficial elements from their surroundings, resulting in a perfect marriage of very different elements colliding unexpectedly to create the ideal pairing.
For those of you who’ve known Cam and me for many years and now as a couple, we have much in common but also many differences. As we searched for something personal and lasting to gift our guests, we remembered a funny story from the first time we met each other’s parents. Cam’s first time meeting my family was met with instant adoration and love until my mom asked him his favorite dessert, as we are a sweet-toothed family, and his response was…“tomatoes.”
They still allowed me to marry him, albeit with some reservation.
During my first encounter with the Yates family, I insisted on getting every female member of the family a bouquet of flowers. Those who know me know I am VERY picky when it comes to flowers, so Cam took me to several local flower shops; none were right, still a memory of “electric roses” I can never erase. I ended up putting Cam to work on the hood of our rental car, putting each bouquet together from flowers sourced all over Memphis, including these beautiful, vibrant zinnias.
tomatoes & zinnias
Turns out, these are the perfect growing partners for each other; they guard the other from unwanted dangerous insects and enrich the soil for each other for a fuller, more longer lasting life. This felt so true of our relationship, as well. Though different, we build each other up and guard each other from the dangers life throws at us all with the intent of a fuller, longer life.
Please plant these seeds somewhere you love, and when we get to a year in, we’d love to see your images of these two seeds grown full!
plant & care instructions
Find a sunny home with well-draining soil.
Let them soak up plenty of sunshine.
Water 2–3 times each week, and watch them grow.
With Love, Cam & Chris
