On Flower Sunday, students make new friends through an old tradition

Each fall, ResLife matches incoming Wellesley students with an older “sib” from their dorm hall as part of Flower Sunday, one of the College’s oldest and most cherished traditions. On September 14, first-years, or “littles,” received flowers from their designated “bigs” before gathering in Houghton Chapel for a joyful multifaith program that celebrated connection, community, and belonging.

“Flower Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to experience the love Wellesley students have for one another,” says Sophie McIntosh ’28, a premed peace and justice studies major. “The entire day is dedicated to connecting with fellow students. As a sophomore, I am excited now to begin my journey as a mentor to the first-year students, while still remembering that I have the support of my own mentors.”

Beverly Cohen ’26, a psychology and religion double major, was one of three student speakers at the Flower Sunday service this year. “It felt very full circle to me to look out into a crowd of mostly first-years, as I talked about overcoming my own difficulties in my first year, and catch the eye of my friends who helped me get through that period,” she says. “I would have never imagined that I would be speaking to the Wellesley community on such a large scale at that period in my life.”

Transitioning to a new environment can be intimidating, and it may be challenging to develop new habits and routines. Flower Sunday “bigs” are friends and mentors who offer genuine support to help their “littles” thrive during their time of growth and exploration at Wellesley.