 | Some things are worth the work. |
"What if all you ever shared...was just planting something for the future---a future neither of you could have predicted, but somehow your love prepared you for."
In Soulmates, Oliver seemed to understand the connection between "planting" and love, little did he know he was entering a season of planting with Shane, one with all the trials and triumphs that come with growing plants---and relationships.
In Soulmates, Oliver seemed to understand the connection between "planting" and love, little did he know he was entering a season of planting with Shane, one with all the trials and triumphs that come with growing plants---and relationships.
"A Time To Plant..."
Who knew the rose cutting Oliver took from the rose bush in Impossible Dream would play such an important role in One In A Million? I'm sure I'm not the only one who wondered whether or not Shane planted it, yet in this film it took on a dual role of symbolizing the state of Shane and Oliver's relationship---budding, but yet to bloom.
To be sure, Shane and Oliver's investment in each other almost from the very beginning were seeds planted for something beyond their comprehension at the time---one need only visit the ShOliver category to see all ways in which their dynamic relationship has grown their connection over the course of the series. Indeed, both found ways to "[feed]...[water]...talk to...[and even] fertilize it."
To be sure, Shane and Oliver's investment in each other almost from the very beginning were seeds planted for something beyond their comprehension at the time---one need only visit the ShOliver category to see all ways in which their dynamic relationship has grown their connection over the course of the series. Indeed, both found ways to "[feed]...[water]...talk to...[and even] fertilize it."
 The initial investment. | If you'll remember, much of Shane's House Rule and subsequent check-in were predicated on how she navigated and handled her relationship with Oliver. Where she used to constantly press to get to the heart of the matter where Oliver was concerned, over time Shane acquired discernment that allowed her to push in just the right way at just the right time. This resulted in moments like we saw in From Paris With Love and Truth Be Told where Shane repeatedly encouraged and offered the opportunity for Oliver to "talk" through what he was experiencing. These efforts helped to "feed, water and fertilize" her relationship with Oliver throughout the course of the series. |
Oliver's efforts to grow and reaffirm his relationship with Shane were less overtly obvious early on. Asking Shane to be his dance partner, along with his natural reliance on her for support were both obvious signs of connecting that possibly eluded Oliver given the situation with Holly, and his inability to pursue anything with Shane even if he was ready to. Though once Holly exited the picture, Oliver "fed, watered, and fertilized" his relationship with Shane by honoring things close to her heart, like the porch swing, the purchase of the plot of land on which her childhood home once stood, and the rose cutting, supplemented by his deep reliance on her upon the return of his father.
 "I think it died." | Like the growing a rose bush, their relationship took much effort, the fruits of which remained largely unseen by the gardeners themselves, prompting Shane to think her hopes for a relationship with Oliver, like the rose cutting, "[had] died." |
"...And A Time To Reap What You Have Planted."
There's "a time to sow and a time to reap." And, like most things in life, our gardens don't bloom in our timing. The same can be said of Shane and Oliver's budding romance, and, like a garden, their relationship finally bloomed only in its own time. Perhaps not surprisingly, it bloomed only when both Shane and Oliver were ready to bloom themselves.
Like we discussed regarding baking and ovens, Shane exhibited some very particular traits and behaviors that signaled her readiness to bloom. For example, even after it seemed her efforts to cultivate a relationship with Oliver "didn't take," Shane continued to employ similar strategies like "talk[ing] to" and encouraging Oliver to "never regret an act of love." Similarly, Oliver only became ready once he found the courage to risk, "asking for love...attention...forgiveness...[and facing] whatever happen[ed] next," asking Shane on their second chance date. In both cases, all it took was "a little faith" which was all it took to finally see their relationship---and the rose bush---to finally bloom.
Like we discussed regarding baking and ovens, Shane exhibited some very particular traits and behaviors that signaled her readiness to bloom. For example, even after it seemed her efforts to cultivate a relationship with Oliver "didn't take," Shane continued to employ similar strategies like "talk[ing] to" and encouraging Oliver to "never regret an act of love." Similarly, Oliver only became ready once he found the courage to risk, "asking for love...attention...forgiveness...[and facing] whatever happen[ed] next," asking Shane on their second chance date. In both cases, all it took was "a little faith" which was all it took to finally see their relationship---and the rose bush---to finally bloom.
 | While we may not know just what the future holds for Shane and Oliver, it's clear "all [they've] ever shared has prepared them to step into the next chapter. At the same time, they've taught us the value of constantly tending to our relationships so that when the time comes, they're ready to bloom. Learning To Garden, ~C |
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