The National Capital Artisans’ Spring in Bloom market was a resounding success! Young families and seniors alike enjoyed browsing the 46 quality artist booths. The event also featured demonstrations by local craftspeople.

My husband, Jan (a man who usually prefers the quiet solitude of a good book to the bustling chaos of a craft market), surprised me by deciding to join me this Saturday. He’d claimed he sensed I might need the extra hands, a sentiment born more from concern than any genuine expectation of busy-ness. He was right, though. We were terribly busy with customers interested in the colourful plant stakes, hanging glass pictures, glowing lanterns, and nightlights that I specialize in. Jan kept himself amused by observing the other husbands milling about, their boredom etched on their faces as they trailed their wives. He’d whisper comments about their weary sighs and restless fidgeting, an amused observer of the universal male plight at the market. Except for one man. He stood out immediately. This man, in his mid forties, with kind eyes and a gentle smile, was admiring my display. His wife, casually dressed in a black sweater and dress pants but with a noticeable cane, stood beside him. The man, spent an extraordinary amount of time at our table, meticulously describing each item to his wife. He’d run her fingers over the delicate glass design of a plant stake, then relay the details to her with remarkable patience and precision: “He’d describe the intricate patterns on a lantern, the subtle nuances of colour in a wall hanging, all with such care and love. It was a breathtaking display of devotion.
They were searching for Mother’s Day gifts and decided on one lantern and plant stake for each of their mothers. His descriptions painted vivid pictures for his wife, who in turn, responded with subtle murmurs of approval and gentle touches to the pieces he selected. Jan, initially amused by the scene, found himself deeply moved. The couple eventually chose two ornate lanterns and a pair of plant stakes. As they left, Jan remarked that he had learned something profound that day – that even the most mundane errand could be transformed into an act of profound love, a shared experience far richer than mere boredom.