The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail continues through April 5. The 10-plus mile driving tour features home gardens filled with colorful azaleas, dogwoods, tulips, wisteria and redbuds.

The driving tour begins at 500 S. Broadway Ave. and East Houston Street. Each weekend, visitors have the chance to meet the Azalea Belles, as they serve as ambassadors for the city, dressed in antebellum-style fashion.

This year’s belles attend Good Shepherd, Grace Community, Chapel Hill, Robert E. Lee and Whitehouse high schools. Some are home-schooled. As part of the application, each girl had to answer the question: “What Does Tyler Mean to You?”

Below are quotes from the Azalea Belles.

Emily Adkins: “Tyler is my home. I have lived here my whole life. I could not imagine growing up somewhere else. The flowers are always beautiful and they make Tyler special.”

Elizabeth Bridges: “Tyler is the only community I know. My parents moved here when I was young, because of the beautiful seasons and great environment to raise a family. Tyler will always be my home, no matter where my future takes me.”

Haley Butler: “Tyler means a lot to me. I know that may sound clich￩, but I’ve lived in Tyler my whole life. Tyler is filled with many nice people I’ve met. There are so many places to go in Tyler. I’ve made memories here and can’t wait for more to come.”

Amanda Carrell: “I have lived in Tyler since the age of 2. It is a truly beautiful place and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I love that the people are friendly and hospitable, and that faith is a central part of the community. I am very blessed and proud to call Tyler my home.”

Laura Clayton: “I’ve made dear friends here in Tyler and have made tons of wonderful, priceless memories. I love that Tyler is big enough (and growing all the time) to have everything you need, but it’s also still small enough to have a ‘small town’ feel.”

Kelsey Connor: “Tyler is a place I can call home. After living out of state and coming back, I feel as if I never want to leave Tyler, or even Texas. I love the people and the atmosphere. Everyone is so welcoming and generous.”

Hannah Cooper: “When I think of Tyler, several words come to mind: home, family, church, community. Tyler is my home, my birthplace. Tyler is a family oriented city with much to offer everyone, from those looking for the culture of the big city to those looking for the warm feeling of small-town USA.”

Ty’Eisha Cooper: “Tyler is home to me. I feel the heartfelt hospitality the residents give. From the gorgeous flowers to the amazing sweet people, Tyler is a great location of living. It means living in a city of love, compassion, pride and being surrounded by nature and its beauty.”

Dezarae Cortez: “To me, Tyler means adventure, history, learning experience and so many other things. My grandparents once lived here for many years and owned one of the few big restaurants, called Cortez’s. Many people know my family name and I am extremely proud to be a part of this wonderful town.”

Megan Davis: “To me, Tyler means living somewhere I can be proud of. Between the roses and azaleas, nowhere compares to the natural beauty of Tyler. Another beautiful thing about Tyler is its people. I am ecstatic that I get to live somewhere where there are smiling faces around every corner.”

Kayla Edge: “Tyler is my home. It means life, pride and joy. It means helping others any chance you get. Tyler means happiness and also beauty. Tyler means a community that is one, just like a family. Tyler means love.”

Lauren Evans: “I’ve grown up in Tyler in the same house for my whole life, so it is and always will be my home. I love everything the city has to offer, from the Rose Parade to the Queen’s Tea to the beautiful parks we have.”

Rachel Flanders: “I was born and raised in Tyler so I love this place! The people are friendly and unlike bigger cities like Dallas, the traffic is mostly good. My favorite part of Tyler is the parks, museums, azaleas, the fair, and, yes, Sister2Sister Cookies (gotta love it).”

Rebekah Flanders: “I love everything about Tyler. Having lived here my whole life, I’ve gotten to see the community grow — not just in new buildings, sidewalks and roads, but as a friendly community. Tyler is like one big family and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Aliya Harris: “Tyler means a lot to me. I marched in the MLK Parade a couple of years, and I love to do anything to make the community a better place. I love volunteering. Tyler is where I’m from and I love it.”

Hannah Horton: “I’ve often considered how lucky I am to grow up in a town with successful small businesses and several colleges. It’s a town that combines the amenities of a city with the heart of a small town. Tyler truly has the best of both worlds and is a fantastic place to call home.”

Ginnie Jeske: “Tyler means a place for adventures to be had and more importantly memories to be made. I have grown to love Tyler’s southern hospitality, engaging activities and natural beauty. Having been born and raised here, Tyler is, and always will be, my home.”

Madison Jobe: “The people of Tyler are so friendly and hospitable and the scenery is beautiful and breathtaking. Tyler has a multitude of productive recreational activities that can be enjoyed by kids, teens and adults alike. I am so thankful for the years spent in this gorgeous city.”

Lauren Lewis: “Tyler means home, opportunity and East Texas living. I appreciate that our community has so much to offer everyone. My city offers top jobs, education, health care, fun entertainment and, my personal favorite, shopping. I am a proud citizen of Tyler, because of its blended culture and classic southern appeal.”

Azalia Lopez: “Tyler is considered home and no matter where I go, my heart will always be here. I have so many cherished memories with my grandmother in her garden. She lived in the Azalea District and her garden was absolutely gorgeous.”

Joanna Moran: “Tyler is a city with a small-town feel. I have lived in the Tyler area my whole life and it has been a great place to grow up. My family and our family business have deep roots in the community. This historic city will always feel like home to me.”

Madelyn Oney: “Tyler is a city that you can visit as a tourist and be amazed, but I find it astounding that even a native Tylerite, like me, can turn around and discover something new. You need only to open your eyes. Notice things! There are spectacular things waiting to be seen.”

Caroline Onwuzu: “Tyler is my home. It’s the town I grew up in and I have never moved. I travel a lot, but when I’m homesick, I don’t just miss my home. I miss all of Tyler.”

Valerie Parker: “Whether I’m going to the (Caldwell) zoo, attending church or singing with Voices of Faith, for me Tyler is where it’s happening. Getting to be an Azalea Belle during one of the prettiest times of the year would be so much fun.”

Lacie Phelps: “Tyler means home. When I hear Tyler, I think of the gorgeous roses, the historical past, museums, fun and love. Tyler is one of my favorite places I’ve ever lived around because of its atmosphere. I love the fact that Tyler offers the big-city amenities with the beautiful and friendly small-town feel.”

Megan Pirtle: “Tyler has always been a safe haven for me. Everybody in this town has always been very kind and accepting. I have lived in Tyler all my life and I can’t think of a better place to spend my childhood and adolescent years.”

Keylee Smith: “When I was 7 months old, my family moved to Bullard, and Tyler became our hub for entertainment, school and shopping. I have wonderful memories of (attending) performances at UT Tyler and TJC and at First Presbyterian Church.”

Erica Thomas: “Tyler is where I was born. Tyler means home and that’s the most important thing. I love the restaurants and places to explore. I love the diversity and kindness of the community.”

Ashley Ward: “Tyler is such an incredible place to live. There are so many wonderful places to go and see. I love that there are so many historical places to visit. Having lived in Tyler all my life, it is very special to me.”

Kaylee Williams: “Tyler holds a special place in my heart because this is where my parents met. Tyler is the city where my brother and I were born. Tyler is a great city full of history and charm that represents our southern culture, which people around the world find interesting.”

Skylar Wood: “I enjoy the lush beauty, rich history and unique culture of Tyler. After living in Austin for a few years, I greatly appreciate the slower, more friendly, pace of Tyler. This city is extremely family oriented and a wonderful place to live and grow up.”

Ellie Youngblood: “Tyler is the only home I have ever known and I love living here. When I was born, my mother nicknamed me Tyler Rose. I love that Tyler is the Rose Capital of the nation. Tyler is family-friendly and beautiful with all its pine trees and flowers.”

 

Some responses were edited for space and grammar.