This is my entry to the HappyChallenge hosted by 
For the past 18 years I've been living in Iasi, a beautiful city from the North East of Romania. Apart from the cultural background, this old city has something else to offer. Something different and wonderful. The linden...or lime tree (Tilia sp.).
This beautiful heart shaped tree, embellish the city for many many years and was a source of inspiration for many Romanian artists. The best example being Mihai Eminescu, our national poet.
The linden makes me happy for two reasons: its delicate sweet fragrance and the memories it brings. My parents were two of the many young people who went to school in Iasi. Like many other before and after them, they met and felt in love, the linden trees watching over. Their first walk together was under the linden trees which guard all the important streets in Iasi.
Years went by and the two young lovers became parents, moved from Iasi and started to grow grey hair. The stories about their youth and college years had one constant, the sweet smell of the linden. Me and my sister always dreamed to finish highschool and become students in Iasi. There was no other option, just Iasi and its linden trees.
We both managed to fulfill the dream, further more, I met a Iasi boy and settled here. Similar to my parents' story, the linden trees are watching over our love. Today, I have two kids who love to walk under the linden and, more than anything, to watch the little yellow flowers floating in the wind ("Mom, it's raining flowers!").
It's the beginning of June, the linden tree blooming season. During the evening, the fragrance is stronger. It will not last too long as it started to rain flowers. Until next year, we will have to carry the memory of this Spring sweetness and look forward to whatever Summer will bring. For the time being, I'm happy for the linden tree, enjoying the moment.
