Last month we took the long way home, meandering along back roads instead of the highway. Although we had made this trip over a hundred times, slowing down and taking the time to look allowed for a little adventure and a whole bunch of discoveries such as a charming cafe that served far too big sandwiches, parks in full bloom and a tiny little flower and garden shop that would become my favourite.

The shop was so small but I lost myself in its outdoor space, spending what seemed like hours petting the resident cat, smelling the lavender and oogling over beautiful glass balls. But what really did it for me a little table sunning itself as though it couldn�t take it any more sun.

When we saw it, we knew we wanted it even though it wasn’t like any furniture we owned. We didn�t stop to think if it would go with our simplistic French style because we were smitten with the way the twigs twisted. There was something about its simpleness, it’s organic roots and the knowing that somewhere, someone made this. With the readymade lifestyle that seemed ours as of late, this little table felt needed.

It didn’t come home with us that day however; we decided to wait to pick it up on our way home from celebrating our 5-year anniversary at Harrison Hot Springs. This way, it would be a gift to each other and would go along with the 5th year gift of wood. There would be meaning to the gift, a simple something that wouldn’t overwhelm the five years but compliment them (after all, we did elope for $50. Fancy diamonds wouldn�t seem appropriate somehow).

Upon returning to the garden store, I once again lost my way in the little yard and petted the cat but I couldn�t find the table. We searched for it until decided that perhaps we didn�t need it (would we take it to Europe when we move?). But then it called out, hiding under plants and trees, tucked away quietly waiting for us. Patient little table, that.

We put it in the car (alongside an irresistible little green glass vase, which for $5, holds my roses beautifully) and went to a wonderful little cafe for dinner where we mused over our years together, the little holiday we had, our new home and the thought of a table that will grow with us for years (it really does grow!).