The Colors of My Spring

Every year, when March arrives, something shifts.

The natural light gets softer, warmer — like muslin cloth that just came out of the dryer. Like the world is slowly waking up and stretching. Green leaves start growing on trees, plants begin to bloom, and birds chirp louder, as if expressing their excitement at the arrival of spring. There's a happiness in the air that I can't really explain, but I feel it — and I see it in a color combination: baby pink, white, and pastel green.

I've always loved this month, partly because it's my birthday month. And in Japan, early March also brings Hinamatsuri — a festival that celebrates girls, where houses are decorated with Hina-dolls. Growing up, I secretly thought this festival was partly there to celebrate my birthday too. One of my favorite things about it was a three-layered mochi cake. I say "favorite" loosely — I loved it more with my eyes than my mouth. The colors were just perfect: pastel light green at the bottom, soft white in the middle, and the palest pink sitting on top. Just like spring itself.

It feels like spring to me in a way nothing else does. Warm and soft. Hopeful. A little dreamy.

This year, I want to make something with those colors. I don't have the full picture yet — and honestly, I kind of like that.

Earlier this week I went to the local flower market, picked up some Gypsophila (baby's breath), and started dyeing them stem by stem until I found exactly those shades. Then I'll just follow where it goes.

Some of the best things start that way.