🌿 Where Stillness Feels Intentional

For Maren Okafor, the UBC Botanical Garden is a place where time moves at the pace of breath. “I really like how this garden doesn’t feel ornamental—it feels alive,” she says, fingertips grazing the leaves of a Pacific dogwood. “It’s not manicured to perfection, and that makes it more real. More human.”

As she enters beneath the shade of centuries-old cedars, her whole demeanor softens—her steps slow, her voice lowers, her awareness sharpens.

🌸 A Joy That Grows Quietly

From alpine flowers to medicinal herbs, Maren moves through the garden with reverence, pausing often to inhale the scent of crushed pine needles or run her hand along weathered bark. “I’m so happy when I’m surrounded by this kind of quiet variety,” she says. “It’s like every path is a different conversation.”

She particularly enjoys the walk through the Carolinian forest and the serenity of the Asian Garden, where every bend in the trail offers something unexpected. “I love the moments where you stop—not because something shouts for attention, but because it gently asks for it.”

🌱 Earth, Emotion, and Easy Presence

For Maren, nature is not just scenery—it’s company. “This kind of space invites a different kind of closeness,” she explains. “You notice more in each other when you’re not distracted.”

She likes to find a quiet bench in the dappled light, share thermos-poured tea, and let the conversation unfold organically. “No script, no timeline. Just a little space, and something growing around us.”

💬 The Perfect Setting for Grounded Connection

Maren recommends the UBC Botanical Garden for dates with thoughtful pacing. “If you enjoy the feeling of connection unfolding slowly—layer by layer—this is the place,” she says. “It’s not showy, but it stays with you.”

She finds beauty in stillness and confidence in simplicity—making every shared moment feel intentional, not performative.

🌳 Leaving with More Than You Arrived

As the light filters through the canopy and birdsong echoes between the ferns, Maren lingers by the exit. “This place doesn’t give you answers,” she smiles. “It gives you better questions. And I really like that.”