In the 1990s, my parents, Chinese immigrants, were navigating life in the U.S., having come to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry. My father was working toward his PhD, while my mother earned her master’s. Their journey took them from university to university before my father secured a postdoc position at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It was there that his principal investigator gifted him a Queen of the Night flower—a plant as delicate as it is rare.

The Queen of the Night, known for its breathtaking bloom that opens for only 24 hours once a year, has since become a cherished symbol in our home. Its deep roots, much like my parents', reflect resilience, growth, and the blossoming of new possibilities. In Southeast Asia, the flower is considered auspicious, a belief my family holds onto as we await its annual bloom. My mother often sets up a time-lapse camera to capture the fleeting beauty, preserving the magic of its short-lived display. This plant is more than just a stunning flower. Its large, glossy leaves have been used by my family in tea and congee, adding both flavor and tradition to our meals. 

 

– Melissa Ji

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant