I had never smelled lilacs until I moved to the PNW in the mid 60's. I do love that scent.
Same for the sight of forsythia in bloom. That would have been about the same time period. The first time I saw one, I coined the phrase 'Forsooth, a Forsythia'. Every spring it is a family tradition to say that when we see the first blooming forsythia for the season.
