Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday to the best Mom in the world!

I know everyone says this, but I really might have the best Mom in the world. Let me provide you with a few supporting examples before you begin to argue.

- My Mom is cool. She's always been the "cool" Mom. She's always jammed to Top 40 hits (she knows most of the words too), kept up with all the trends and always reminded me to live a little. Examples: Mom could recite the entire Fergie and Gwen Stefani albums, wears Uggs and was the Mom who took me and my middle-school friends to wrap boys' houses. The combination of these traits means that most of my friends may enjoy being around my Mom more than they like me. Countless times I remember having sleepovers (well into high school) where I would wake up the next morning and my friends would all be downstairs talking with MY MOTHER! I hated it at the time, but looking back, it was, simply, cool.

-Perhaps one of the things I admire most about my Mom is that she's a good friend. She has more friends than I do and manages to make time to hang out with all of them. She's always got a card night, happy hour, dinner or walk planned with one of her gal pals and I think it's really awesome that she's able to balance those friendships with everything else she does. I must become more like this.

-Mom shows her love in many ways. She'll still let me snuggle with her and knows how to play with my hair. She's always got a sussy (definition: a small gift for no particular reason) for me and helps me do everything from plan a wedding to organize my closet.  Mom makes John breakfast tacos anytime he's in town and buys him sugary ceral. That's love, right?!

-Mom is my biggest supporter. She never missed a volleyball game and was by far loudest fan in the stands. She packed my lunch everyday until I went to college, made sure she knew all of my teachers and friends and would crawl into my every night  and talk to me about the days events until I fell asleep.  She's always there to help me celebrate the good times and talk through the rough times.

-She's an apple. She cares for and loves the rest of us apples, and just like the saying, we all haven't fallen far from the tree. It's funny to hear and watch her become more and more like her Mother everyday. It's even weirder catching myself saying and doing things like my she would say....

-Mom's used to wearing many different hats, and each she waers exceptionally well. Mother, Wife, Sister, Daughter, Granddaughter, Aunt, Mother-in-law, Friend, Team Mom, Room Mother, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Party Planner, Chef, Talent Show coordinator, Professional Closet Organizer, Listener and Counselor just to name a few....

I love you, Mom! Thanks for all that you do for me and our family. You're one-of-a-kind and we wouldn't all be where we are today without you. Have a Happy Birthday!