My children and I got caught in the short, but intense rain storm today that caused power outages and knocked down trees. We were at a playground celebrating the end of the school year with families who had also chosen to ignore the weather forecast. The children were all eating ice cream from a truck when the rain came pouring down. Some kids started to cry, others broke into a rain dance. When we got home, soaked to the skin, I overheard my children saying that they’ll never go out with even a 40 per cent chance of rain again. “Then you’ll never go out,” I said. It wasn’t the party they expected, and it certainly wasn’t ideal, but they won’t forget it.

The first wedding dress I tried on was a bit of a dream. It was designed by Jenny Packham, and it had a decidedly Gatsby feel. I knew in the first first few minutes that it wasn’t the one, but I sure did love wearing it. I remember feeling like Audrey Hepburn in that ball scene from My Fair Lady. I went on to try another dozen or so dresses before I found the one I wore on my wedding day. It was the perfect dress for me, and I would have known that even if I hadn’t tried on 14 others. But all the taffeta and tulle was so much fun. And for a minute or two I got to feel like Hepburn. Grace Kelly. And Cinderella.

Hitomebore is the The Japanese word for “love at first sight.” Koi no yokan is a more nuanced, delicate idea as it refers to the possibility of falling in love. “I like the idea that some part of you knows and recognizes the other person before your more logical and rational parts have a chance to catch up,” says author Nicola Yoon. “It’s the feeling when you meet someone that you’re going to fall in love with. Maybe you don’t love them right away, but it’s inevitable that you will.” Watch this BBC video on the premonition of love.

Lilacs yesterday, wisteria today. My neighbour’s wisteria is tumbling into my garden, the way it does every year around this time, and I’m reminded how much I love this flower. It reminds me of London, Chelsea in particular, where wisteria is in abundance at this time of year. This house, in neighbouring Kensington, is made regal by the climbing wisteria. It almost looks like trompe-l’œil.

Toronto only smells good when the lilacs come up, and their scent follows us around like a sweet little sister. The purple lilacs are in abundance, and occasionally I see some white ones. The lilacs I really adore, look like cotton candy, and are a rare sighting, indeed. I know we’re not supposed to pick flowers from trees, but I wouldn’t be able to resist a little bunch of pinks.