We are in the month that reminds us that love should be felt and known. That we should belong to someone and have friends. As an artisan floral and gift shop we get front row to the stories, messages on the cards and the gifting process.  It's HANDS DOWN one my favorite things to do. We meet people where they are and come alongside to communicate the message that they are loved, thought of, and that they matter.

 

That's exactly what my uncle "Chaco" did but he did it in such an unconventional way.  Having borrowed father figures in my life - being a typical middle child - I clung to every affirmation or validation from them because i wasn't meeting what society and holidays like Valentine's day demanded. 

 

My uncle, being one of these men, always told me I could do anything and become great.  That I was beautiful, smart and had incredible talents.  He ran a restaurant for over 20 years called "Chaco's Cafe".  It was just north of Mama Louisa's in Tucson, Arizona and the food was from a Mexican scratch kitchen.  The enchilada plate was my favorite.  Along with my cousins, we were put to work!  We were waitresses, dishwashers, inventory shoppers and even helped with the books!

 

He was never afraid to tell the truth, challenge habits and as for me, remind me to change the oil in my car!  I'll never forget this time growing up.  He had the courage to show up in my life, not to be liked but to teach me.  He said I would always be the best expression of my lifestyle and business and I never forgot it.  This was my first experience in hopes to follow my uncle in entrepreneurship. 

He saw my love for flowers and, years later, he found my very first four-door floral fridge in an alley.  After a few repairs, it was up and running!  We rolled that monster into my one car garage and I began my floral profession in 2010. His funeral in 2012 was one of my first and largest memorial services.

 

This month we will celebrate 15 years in the floral artisan profession and five years on 4th Avenue.  We opened the doors at 440 N. 4th Ave on February 20th, 2020 just a mere three weeks before COVID shut our doors temporarily on March 15th, 2020.  With the love and support of many incredible humans, we are proud to celebrate the accomplishment of 440 & co. today, the home of local artisans.  A place where we link arms and carry as we climb. 

 

I would like to dedicate this celebration to my uncle Chaco (Noel DeSouza): a man who planted the seeds of hard love for growth and hope that grew in my heart, which contributed to where we are today.  May we love in truth, and celebrate every season to carry one another forward.  Let's not dilute love this month but choose intention with action everyday as we have the choice to rewrite our stories. 

 

 

 

Join us as we celebrate love, and the collateral beauty that follows.  Hope to see you in the shop or in class!

 

 

Rewritten, Kimberly