Rooted in Blooms & Saddles: The Many Passions of Jennifer Booker Stephens
By Sheila Duncan
This week’s Community Connect spotlight features someone I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for several years. If you’ve ever stepped into Cahaba Flowers, chances are you’ve been greeted by her warm smile and helpful spirit. Jennifer Booker Stephens is a true talent in floral design and a valued part of Linda Renn’s team at Cahaba Flowers. But Jennifer wears many hats—she’s not only a gifted florist, but also a devoted wife, loving mom and grandmother, and a passionate horse enthusiast. Let us listen to what Jennifer shared and get to know her better.
Tell us about you, your family and any pets you have:
I have worked at Cahaba Flowers since 2009. I was raised in the Cottondale/Coaling area. I am 45 years old and was raised on a small farm where I spent most of my free time with my grandparents. I am a mother of two girls, Erin (26) (graduate of CCA) and Kate (12) student at CCA. Grandmother of two precious granddaughters Harper (6) and Blaire (2). Married to Heath Stephens of Greene County, AL. We have a small herd of Charolais/Black Angus cows. Entirely too many horses, 2 dogs and 1 cat.
What’s your favorite flower to work with, and what does it symbolize to you?
Gerbers daisies are my favorite flower to work with. Not for the reason you would think because they are not necessarily the longest lasting flower but it’s their appearance of a happy smiling face that I see that gives so much joy.
If you could create a bouquet that represents your personality, what flowers would be in it? A wildflower bouquet that looks like you picked it out of an area that’s native to the area. They tend to be the most unique flowers compared to commercially grown.
What’s the most rewarding part of working in a Flower Shop?
We are able to give customers a shining spot in some of their most important moments in life. Even in death, we are able to give them one of the last gifts you can give a loved one. Casket covers are my favorite arrangement to make because we personalize everyone to the loved one’s unique character and things they were passionate about.
Do you have a favorite memory of helping a customer choose the perfect Flowers?
Any custom piece that represents a passion of the person that has passed. For example, one was a plumber his whole life and the family asked for me to create something in that area. I cut out styrofoam in the shape of a giant wrench. It was approximately 4 feet tall not including the easel it was on. I cut the tops of white mums put them on toothpicks and placed them into the styrofoam. Once it took the shape of the wrench, I spray painted it silver and red. There was another loved one that absolutely loved red high heels, and I did the same thing for her funeral. Getting the spike of the heel pointy was the hardest part, but it was worth it seeing her family and friends faces when they admired it.
When did your love for horses begin, and do you have a special horse in your life?
There is a “slide” (showing my age here) of me when I was a week old bundled up in my blankie on a horse. So, I have always said I was riding since birth. My Aunt Lisa gave me the gift of loving horses. She taught me so much about how to take care of a horse, ride, and even train them. I had (past tense) an Appaloosa named Guardian. He was my best friend, and we went on many adventures together. We went on countless trail rides, horse shows and even did several trick performances at school halftime shows, birthday parties and private school events. He lived to be 2 months shy of 30 years old. I currently have a mare that is a Champagne colored Spotted Saddle horse. I also have a Walkaloosa stallion that is a rare breed. Walkaloosas are a cross from an Appaloosa and a Tennessee Walking horse. You get the loud color and stamina from one and the silky-smooth gait from the other.
If your horse had a personality trait that matched yours, what would it be?
A lot of pet owners have had their personalities compared to their animals for similar traits. This instance is no different. Horses are always up for an adventure, nap time is very predictable, running is only a fight or flight response and they’re always searching for food. I have all those traits also so that just about sums it up!
How do horses bring peace and joy into your life?
Horses bring a sense of calm to my life like no other animal. Loyal to a fault. Just hearing them munch slowly and methodically on grass, the pounding of the hooves running with the herd and the feeling of a half-ton animal in sync with you as you navigate a mountainous trail.
If you could go on a horseback adventure, anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. I have seen several videos of horseback trail riders walking through the steep terrain of the colorful canyons and just think that would be an interesting trip.
How has your family influenced your love for Flowers and Horses?
My Grandmother, Lane (Nanah) is who gave me the love of flowers. Her flower beds were absolutely beautiful. The varieties of iris, roses, and lilies handed down over generations were sought after in the community. I still to this day have numerous bulbs that grow in my yard from her that I give away to others because of her giving spirit. In a way it’s to keep her memory alive. The Wesleyan church we were members of came to expect a beautiful fresh floral arrangement every Sunday in front of the pulpit made by my grandmother. Even in the winter months somehow, she was always able to contribute a beautiful floral display.
What’s your favorite family tradition?
We have a turkey neck trophy that is given out to one lucky family member every Thanksgiving. It started when our family started to get bigger, and the kids got a little rowdy in my grandparents’ home, so I came up with a game outside to keep the kids entertained while the adults talked and cleaned up. That’s how the turkey neck game began. You get the turkey neck from the turkey you just cooked and hide it out in the yard. Depending on the age of the kids depends on how hard I hide it sometimes it’s found within five minutes sometimes an hour. The person that finds it is awarded a real trophy with the words TURKEY NECK CHAMPION on it. Of course, an obligatory photo with the turkey neck and trophy is required.
If you could design a floral arrangement that represents your family, what flowers would it include?
It would definitely have to include flowers that were in my grandmothers’ flowerbeds. Gardenias, irises, roses of all varieties, phlox, surprise lilies, gladiolas, and surprisingly a curly garlic bloom. The dogwood tree is my favorite so there needs to be a couple blooms in there!
