Forget-Me-Not Florist to decorate the White House

A Long Beach mother-daughter florist team has been given the chance of a lifetime.

A touch of Long Beach will be on display at the nation’s capital this holiday season where Long Beach florists Theresa Cuevas and her daughter Courtney Cuevas will take their decorating talents to the White House.

Both Cuevases applied separately for the unique opportunity to assist the First Lady prepare for the holidays. In October, they were both notified they had been selected to help garnish the White House. Courtney said, “I thought she was going to get it over me, but we both got it and we’re both very excited to go.”

(What is this like to have this honor and get to do it with your daughter?) “Oh, that’s the best part. It’s just wonderful.”

Although much of what they will be doing at the White House as far as theme and design is still unknown, but the Cuevases do know they will be handling the ornaments of past presidents.

Besides being able to put together elaborate Christmas decorations and displays like a Nutcracker themed tree, Cuevas and her daughter say they love Christmas for one big reason. “It brings our family together, doing Christmas especially on Christmas Eve, we have a big family get together.”

Theresa said, “I love Christmas ornaments and Christmas. It’s just family time, getting together, and being with your family.”

Cuevas said she had heard they were among only 90 florists from across the nation to have been chosen for this honor, something the mother-daughter duo doesn’t take for granted. “We’re decorating the People’s House. So, regardless of anything politically we would go regardless. It’s a major achievement.”

The Cuevases are leaving Sunday for D.C. and will be staying in Washington, D.C. a little longer than originally anticipated after recently receiving an invite to have lunch with the First Lady.