Allison Phalen Floral Design: Boston, You're My Home.

I don't usually share personal stories on this blog, but since this business was started in a small Boston apartment, I wanted to share my love for the city of Boston and thank the amazing first responders, law enforcement officers, and hospital staff that helped to save so many lives this past week. I hope the survivors will find the strength and support they need to move forward, and know that we are thinking of them and wish them a speedy recovery. The victims of this past week's horrific events and their families will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

Boston Public Garden

Boston was my home for over 5 years. I lived with my best friend and sister in apartments in Brookline and Beacon Hill, and later lived in the Seaport with my husband. Before that I lived at Bentley in Waltham, just a town over from Watertown, MA. I met my husband in a bar in Boston, and every date we had from that point on was somewhere in Boston. We had our rehearsal dinner out on Boston Harbor, got married at a church in the North End, and had our reception at the Seaport Hotel. We walked our dog all over the city, either through Southie down to Castle Island, or along the waterfront, letting her run crazy in the grass behind Moakley Courthouse, and stopping at the Aquarium to watch her try to play with the seals through the glass wall. I worked for State Street in the Financial District and in Copley, and for Boston Beer Co in the Seaport. While working in the Copley offices, I took classes at night at the Rittners School of Floral Design in the Back Bay, just a few blocks from the attacks. In between all those moments and milestones, there were games and concerts at Fenway, birthdays in Faneuil Hall, dinners in the North End, skating on Frog Pond, after-work drinks at Tia's and McFadden's, wedding dress shopping, engagement parties, and too-many-to-count girls night outs. I have endless amazing memories from the time I spent living in Boston, and will always consider Boston my home.

In front of McFadden's - Scooting around the city

Last year on Patriot's Day, like so many other years, my sister and I walked up and down Boylston, Newbury, and Hereford Street, waiting to cheer on the runners at the Boston Marathon. Both of our husbands, along with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and several other friends ran last year. The Boston Marathon is an exciting, inspiring event. Watching the runners accomplish such a challenging goal that they set for themselves, either to raise money for charity, in honor of a loved one, or just for fun, is an amazing experience. With my busy spring wedding season starting this past week, I didn't make it in to watch the marathon this year; it was the first marathon Monday I've missed in years. My husband has already said he wants to run it next year, and when he does, I will be there waiting to cheer him on.