There is a specific kind of satisfaction that comes from seeing a vision for a landscape slowly manifest in the dark soil of your own backyard. Looking back at this afternoon in Wildwood from the spring of 2019, I am struck by the sheer amount of industry that went into carving out this sanctuary. I played the role of supervisor, standing by with my gloves on, while my favorite "Mexican labor" was down in the dirt, handling the heavy lifting and precise planting that these new beds required. With the fresh mulch laid down and the new shrubs finally finding their permanent homes, the woods behind us felt like the perfect, vibrant backdrop for our efforts. These moments of shared industry are what truly rooted us in this place. It wasn't just about the resulting aesthetic; it was about the partnership and the steady commitment to making our environment as beautiful as the life we were building together. It remains a cherished record of a season where the sun was warm, the work was honest, and the future of the garden felt limitless.