On the eve of Flower Sunday, Wellesley’s residential halls might have been hushed, but they were alive with anticipation. Upperclass Bigs returned to campus bearing carefully chosen bouquets, handwritten cards, and small surprises tucked into their grocery bags. In some halls, Bigs leaving gifts outside their future Littles’ doors left faint footsteps. For many first years, waking up to these thoughtful gestures was their first glimpse into the quiet care that defines Flower Sunday. The day’s history shines through in these small acts of kindness and eagerness to get to know one’s Little.
This beloved tradition, as old as the College itself, has been evolving since 1875. What began as a spiritual ceremony has now become a celebration of community, care and chosen family, its meaning newly shaped by each class that carries it forward.
On the morning of Sept. 14, students walked outside dressed up and ready to meet their sibs. Scrambling through the crowd in just minutes, many students described the thrill of searching for someone they had never met.
Zoe Omar ’29 shared, “[Flower Sunday] felt really welcoming and gave a sense of community. The elements and murals in the Chapel just added to the beauty of it, and seeing that the whole school was there, I felt like I was walking into my new community without judgement.”
What stood out to Omar the most was the amount of effort and thought the Bigs put into making sure their Littles felt included. She explained, “My Big introduced me to her friends [who] had their own Littles, and her going through the effort of including me and waiting for me while I got my food felt really nice, especially because they were all things that she didn’t have to do.”
Cynthia Watanabe ’26 shared that her first Flower Sunday experience has given her a sense of responsibility to treat the new classes with warmth and encouragement. She explained, “My Big had two Littles, and seeing that made me want to also try and be open about having two Littles every year. My Big also left a note on my door the night before Flower Sunday, and so that kind of inspired me to do the same for my Littles.”
Community can be difficult to find, especially when adjusting to a new environment. Watanabe suggests that first-years make the most out of their new bonds by staying in touch with their sibs and reaching out to them for help. “Even if they can’t [directly] answer the questions, they may know where to point you so you can get the help you need.”
Grace Harvey ’28, who is a first-time Big this year, expressed, “I really like that I get to help someone find guidance and learn what it means to be a student at Wellesley College, and be a helping hand if they need it. I’m really excited to get to know my Little more and help them with whatever they need.”
Flower Sunday is the perfect opportunity to connect with an older student and learn from their experiences, as well as be a friendly face to a new student. Many Bigs go to great lengths to welcome their Littles because they remember how it felt to be new — unsure, curious, and searching for belonging. In those acts of kindness, a larger message is passed down: you are not alone here. And sometimes, having just one person who sees you and welcomes you can make all the difference.
Contact the editors responsible for this story: Hira Khan, Chelsea Tarringer.
