by Peggy Lindgren

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

Newly married and wanting to make a good impression on my new husband and in-laws, I decided one fall day to plant some tulip bulbs. My father-in-law was a fabulous gardener and I was intrigued with his beautiful flowers. Being a newlywed, I wanted to show my new family how well I would fit in and how much we had in common.

He had all kinds of flowers in his garden. In the spring, tulips, daffodils and crocus sprang forth from the cold ground. His garden consisted of annuals and perennials. I learned which plants did well in sun and which thrived in the shade. Of course, the fall mums made saying goodbye to the summer, a little less bleak.

We were married in September and I had the bright idea to surprise my husband and plant tulip bulbs. I had great visions of spring and hundreds of tulips greeting him one fine April morning.

I asked my father-in-law's advice about which catalog to order them. He knew all there was to know about flowers and I was determined to learn from the best. He was willing to share his gardening knowledge and experience with me. I was willing and eager to be taught.

I ordered a few dozen, different variety of tulip bulbs. I had them shipped to their house so I could keep the delivery a secret. They arrived and I was anxious and excited to begin my new hobby.

I have a day off in the middle of the week, so I began planning and anticipating the big day. Knowing my husband would be at work, I could get them planted and he would never know, until that spring morning. Wanting to do an expert job and make this the most beautiful tulip garden on the block, I got up early and began my work. I borrowed a special tulip bulb planter for the job, from my father-in-law. I could tell he was impressed (or maybe amused is a better word) and suggested I find a nice sunny spot and dig away!

I planted all day, I dug 72 holes for these bulbs and I was exhausted. However, it was a good kind of exhaustion. There is a great deal of satisfaction in digging in the dirt. I was discovering a new hobby and enjoying every minute.

Knowing I was doing my planting, my father-in-law stopped by later in the afternoon to see how the project was going. I had just finished and was cleaning up, smoothing out all the dirt so my husband would not notice. He walked around the yard and approved of my location. He was enjoying the surprise as much as I was.

"You did a fine job," he said to me. "Thanks, dad, it was a lot of work but will be worth it, come spring." I replied.

"Did you

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