Today is my mom’s birthday. It’s not one of the big ones, but an in-between one. I’ll be nice and not give a specific number, though you all could probably deduce if you know my age. She’s still one of the first people I call when something happens (good or bad). Growing up, she always made it a point to make us have dinner as a family, to finish our homework before doing anything fun, to celebrate when we did something well (or didn’t do well but tried our hardest), and taught us to never buy something at full price. She wanted to give us everything she wasn’t given growing up in a large family, but insisted that we work for every dollar and spend that dollar only on things we needed or really, really wanted. She pushed us to do things we didn’t want to do but were in our best interests, through all of our whining and complaining. I look back now and am happy for this, more than anything. She really wants my brother and I do be good people and to do good things, even when it’s the more difficult path. And, for that, I thank her.

(With embarrassing old photos)

This was probably taken shortly after I was born. As you can tell, my mom wore the hottest look in glasses in 1984.

Dressed up and ready to go to church on Easter Sunday.

My parents house sit for a guy named Marvin for a few years while he and his wife took an extended trip to Europe. My Aunt Tricia is on the left with my cousin, Chelsey, with my mom, me, and my little brother on the right. I actually have memories of when we lived there though they’re really, really fuzzy.

Second grade (or so) church directory photo. I remember all I wanted to do that day was go to a friend’s birthday party but my mom insisted on us getting our photo taken. “Everyone will wonder why we aren’t in the directory!”

My mom and I on my wedding day. As you can tell, I got my photo smile from her (and good skin).

So, happy birthday, Mom. I hope you can find some joy in your day today, even as you watch Finding Nemo for the 100th time because your students just cannot focus any longer. You have a birthday surprise waiting for you when I come to visit.