I will never forget the Perfect Tree. When I got married in 2006, I left my hectic TV journalism life in Calgary for the relative quiet of domesticity in Rochester, New York. I was waiting for my green card with a job lined up at the local ABC station—a dream role that faded when the paperwork took longer than expected. Devastated, I sought comfort in simple things, including the daily ritual of having tea at my kitchen table, gazing out the window at the courtyard below. In its center stood the most symmetrical, leafy tree I’ve ever seen. Its perfection was a solace. Its quiet beauty gave me hope. Then, a few weeks before moving to Minneapolis, we were hit with a terrible storm. I woke up the following morning to have my tea in front of Perfect Tree, but it was no longer perfect. Its symmetry was gone. Branches had fallen. I was saddened. But I realized it was a sign. While it was beaten up, branches and leaves strewn about the courtyard, it was still standing. This storm was a reminder that sometimes life doesn’t work out like we plan, but that doesn’t mean we cannot endure. We stand tall even if we are not perfect. Before we drove away, I walked to into the courtyard, touched Not So Perfect Tree’s bark and thanked it for looking over me.
I tell this story because many of us have a tree like that—one that offers shade on a hot day, stands tall through the changing seasons or simply brings joy when we need it most. That’s why I love the City of Edina’s Tree Recognition Campaign, where residents can nominate the trees that mean something to them. Whether it’s a stately oak or a backyard birch with memories carved into its trunk, if your tree tells a story, it’s worth nominating.
Speaking of nominations, this issue is also our most anticipated of the year—Best of Edina. I am so excited to reveal our winners and finalists of our annual Readers’ Choice Poll, and I am beyond grateful that so many of you take the time each year to vote for your favorites. It’s a true testament to our community’s spirit.
And I also encourage you to take a peek at our Last Glance, featuring an Images of Edina’s first place winner and Best in Show. The photo is an idyllic snapshot outside an iconic landmark.
