The world became a better place on this day.

Since Annye is busy planning birthday festivities, I have to take the time out today to write a little post in honor of her mother, a woman who I whole-heartedly admire. Today is Annye's mom's birthday. Most certainly a day to be celebrated.

As mom and daughter relationships go, we all know they can be rocky. They can be unhealthy. They can be flat out non-existent by our age. But Annye and her mom have a relationship that is exactly the one I want to have with my daughter some day. While Annye and Valli are the only ones who know the ins and outs of their relationship, as a spectator I can tell you I see quite a bit of love, support and honesty between the two of them. 

Not only is their relationship one to admire, but Valli's ability to raise four amazing children. Annye, whom I obviously know the best, is a woman I am proud to call my friend. A kind, smart, funny, confident, beautiful person. Someone with her feet on the ground but her head in the clouds. Always realistic about what's here and now, but always dreaming of what she is capable of. And we all know that is certainly anything. Annye couldn't be that way without some rock-solid confidence and that rock-solid confidence would be hard to come by without that wonderful woman who raised her to believe in herself.

I heard some quote a while back about how the true testament of if you are a good parent or not is how your children speak of you when you aren't around. Well, Valli, with those four kids of yours smiling because of you today, I'd say you passed the test with flying colors.

Enjoy your birthday and all of those that love you!