ROCKY RIVER, Ohio – Melissa Oscar Finkes of Rocky River planted a few pumpkin seeds gifted by her father earlier this year, expecting little more than a typical autumn decoration. But what started as a small gardening project turned into an exciting family adventure when the pumpkin grew far beyond their wildest expectations, weighing in at over 100 pounds.
Melissa and her young daughters, Frankie and Liesl, embraced the experiment, tending to the garden together throughout the summer. As the pumpkin steadily increased in size, so did their excitement.
“We had no idea it would get this big!” Melissa shared, laughing. “My dad has always loved gardening, so I thought it would be fun to try growing pumpkins. It was a real surprise when we saw how massive it had become.”
During the interview, Frankie and Liesl were thrilled to join the conversation, proudly showing off the oversized pumpkin. They took turns sitting on the giant gourd, giggling and chatting about their newfound love for gardening.
“My daughters were all-in on this from the start,” Melissa said. “They’ve been out here with me every day, checking on the pumpkin, watering it, and making sure it was growing properly.”
The family’s pumpkin-growing success has sparked even more enthusiasm for future gardening projects. “We’re definitely planting more seeds next year,” Melissa added. “But this time, we’ll know to expect the unexpected!”
Their story serves as a heartwarming reminder of how even small seeds can lead to big surprises and joyful family moments.
Melissa Oscar Finkes with her two daughters Liesl (left) and Frankie with the family dog in Halloween crafts by the girls.Linda Gandee
