Before there were flowers in my life, there were test prep books, number two pencils, and a revolving door of ambitious teenagers.

For a couple of decades, Steve and I owned learning centers in both Montclair and Point Pleasant Beach, and those years gave us a front-row, bird’s-eye view of what was happening inside the world of college admissions.

And let me tell you: the competition was intense even then. Today? It’s on a whole other planet.

The Rise of Extreme Competition

Our SAT and ACT prep programs were always full, no matter the size or personality of the community.

Students came in with dreams of getting into “the most competitive college they could get into,” and the pressure surrounding that goal shaped everything they did.

It wasn’t just about test scores anymore. Students were expected to be:

  • academically strong

  • highly involved in multiple extracurriculars

  • multi-sport athletes

  • volunteers

  • leaders in clubs

  • and somehow still sleeping, eating, and existing

Some were naturally gifted academically. Others weren’t, so their families invested heavily in sports, hoping athletic recruitment would create an admissions edge.

Early Specialization Starts Younger Than You Think

We met families who were starting their children in competitive activities as young as seven or eight.

And not just mainstream sports—sometimes very niche ones.

Think: color guard, that blend of flag choreography and gymnastics. Yes, even that has become part of the college-admissions strategy playbook.

The Year Rowing Became the Golden Ticket

One year, one of our beloved high school employees got into Harvard primarily because of her rowing speed (along with excellent grades).

After that, interest in rowing exploded.

Parents were suddenly researching boathouse fees, equipment, and regatta schedules.

If you know rowing, you know: it’s one of the most expensive high school sports out there.

And still, the demand skyrocketed almost overnight.

Would Steve and I Get Into Our Alma Maters Today?

Absolutely not. Not even close.

And we’re not being modest — the competition for college admissions has become so fierce that even the strongest students feel stretched thin.

I genuinely don’t know how kids today manage the extraordinary pressure placed on them.

If you’re parenting teens right now: I see you.

Farm Happenings

Our weekly trips to the tree farm for fresh evergreens have officially become my favorite ritual of the season.

The Denali gets stuffed to the roof with just-cut greens, and by the time we drive home, the entire car smells like Christmas in stereo.

We’re down to three more weeks of Winter Wreath Workshops, which is wild — the season is flying.

And a quick reminder:

There’s less than a week left to take advantage of our Early Black Friday Flower Subscription Sale. It’s the easiest holiday gift for any flower lover (including yourself). Don’t be the person regretting this on December 1.

And Since You Didn’t Ask…

Tonight I’m watching the finale of Squid Games: The Challenge to see who walks away with over 4.5 million dollars. I mean… imagine the flower farm upgrades I could make with that.

I also started Landman on Prime. Steve has been insisting I’d like it, even though our streaming tastes couldn’t be farther apart. Mine: romcoms, reality, and comedy. His: spies, explosions, and general stabbiness.

Yet here we are — I may actually be enjoying it.