I feel like this newsletter is going to be a little all over the place, because it has been a whirlwind of a week here in the Bokor household.

We just got back from one of the largest rowing regattas in the country – the Head of the Hooch. Over two days, over 2000 boats raced on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga Tennessee. For Maddy, it was her first Head of the Hooch, and it was my first as a coach for the team. It couldn’t have been a better weekend. Gorgeous weather and amazing team spirit – the Hillsborough High School Rowing Club​​​​​​​ had 11 boats entered and in every single race, our athletes put in everything they had.

As a 13-year-old, Maddy is one of the youngest rowers competing in the event, but it was her boat, with Abby in the driver’s seat that had one of the best results of the weekend. In their race, they passed four boats and even passed one at the finish line for everyone to see. Watching from the side of the river, seeing both girls pouring their hearts into their sport made me one super proud dad.

But that isn’t the only first that happened this weekend. We have a new driver in the family. Abby’s birthday was while we were in Tennessee, so she got to celebrate with an amazing race and with all her teammates. And then this week, she passed her driver’s test. Her first solo drive was up to the nursery to show me her license. Another moment of pride and of thinking how do I make things slow down a little. I know they won’t. Life keeps moving whether you want it to or not, I’m choosing to embrace it and just enjoy the ride while I’m on it.

In another first for Kerby’s, if you tune in right now to Fox 13, you’ll see us on Charley’s World during Good Day Tampa Bay. Charley Belcher is at the nursery, featuring our Treasure Tower, houseplants, and of course the gorgeous plants that are showing off for the upcoming cool weather.  Tune in and then come out and experience it all for yourself.

I promised you this newsletter was going to be a little all over the place, so I’ve got one more first for you. Next Thursday is our first ever Plant Bingo. Grab your tickets here and come out for an evening of frivolity and foliage as we kick off the holiday season. If bingo isn’t your thing, no worries, the nursery will be open from 5pm – 8pm for our Holiday Preview Sip & Shop.  

A week filled with firsts, a week filled with being proud of my girls and a week filled with fun in the garden. I can’t wait to see what next week brings!