Last Monday, this country observed the most important national holiday: my birthday. On that day, I was greeted with hundreds of messages on Facebook, wishes from my non-Facebook friends in school and shared a wonderful dinner with my friends. We took loads of pictures, and I rang in my new year with some of my closest friends. Also on this day, I thanked my mother and gave her the biggest hug. I told her how appreciative I am of her presence in my life and made sure she was happy. Why? Because my birthday is equally as special for my mother, too.

My mum always makes a cute post on Facebook with a collage of pictures of me from birth 'till that day, accompanied with a really sweet message. She stays up until midnight with me, gives me the tightest hug at 12:01am and is the first person to wish me every year. She makes sure my birthday is special for me, so I always take it upon myself to make my birthday equally as special for her.

When you're born, it's not just a day you should celebrate alone; your birthday was an incredibly special day for your mother, as well. She suffers through hours of pain just to get you, well, out, and tears are shed when she holds you for the first time. She saw you as a small kid, and is seeing you grow into your own person. Your birthday is a pretty big deal for her, too.

I guess for me it's a little different, because I was born with holes in my heart, and I couldn't breathe properly because of it. My birth was more scary than joyous, and I cannot begin to imagine how my mum must have felt on June 11th after finding out that her baby was born with a heart issue. For her, June 11th is a day that brings mixed emotions: fear, joy, anxiety, excitement.

Now, all these years later (and my heart issues resolved), I keep that in mind every year on June 11th. I remember the pain and fear she must have felt, so I always thank her and make sure she feels special on my birthday too. I remember the anxiety she must have felt seeing me hurt, so I make sure she always has a smile on her face on this day. She's been through a lot because of me, and I always make it a point to remind her of how grateful I am for everything she's done for me.

Next year is the first year I'll be spending my birthday away from my mum, and I know I'm going to call my mum and wish her, too. I'm still going to make sure she has an excellent day, because after everything she's been through with me, she deserves it. Everyone should make sure their mother feels special on their birthday. After all, where would you be without your mom?