Growing up, Mother’s Day was always exciting for me. I would wake up early in the morning and make sure everything was ready. I tiptoed into my parents room so I could surprise my mom with the hand-made gift I had spent a few days making. Whether it was a paper turkey I had made out of my hand print, or a handmade frame with a picture of us together, she always cherished each and every gift I gave to her. They were either proudly displayed on the wall, or safely nestled on the nightstand.

It wasn’t until I shared my first Mother’s Day with my oldest little girl almost five years ago, that I understood what the day truly meant to me. Some believe Mother's Day is just a ploy to get you to buy greeting cards, chocolates, or flowers, and maybe it is. However, I believe it is just a day that we should take to admire the mothers in the world and respect what they do. After all, where would we be without them?

One of my favorite memories of a past mother's day was only a few years ago, and it was one where my own little girl came running into my room in the morning proudly holding the gift she (and my husband) had made for me. The look on her face when she handed me the sweet card made me feel an overwhelming rush of love for this little child I created. Before I could begin unwrapping the gift, her little fingers had already began ripping off the paper, and the twinkle in her eyes shined brighter than the rays of sun peeking through the curtains. Honestly, it could have been anything, and I would have loved it, but it wasn't just anything. It was a gorgeous antique locket with a special picture of the three of us inside. Not only did I love it because it was a gift from my little girl and husband, but I loved that it was antique, and unlike any other locket in the world, it held a picture of us.

Whenever I wear the locket and it lays near my heart, the memory of that mother's day floods back into my mind. Jewelry can be so much more than just an object, it can be a place holder. Whether it is a locket, a bracelet, or a pair of earrings, each piece of jewelry that I have carries a story. It hold bits and pieces of my story, good and bad.

What story will you be giving this mother's day? What are your favorite memories with your mom or kiddos?