Happy May Day!

Happy May Day!

I can't believe it's already May 1st! Even though this year is almost half way over, it feels like 2012 just got started. May 1st has always been a special day for me for two reasons. One, my mom's birthday is always the day after, on May 2nd. Two, my mom and I have shared a special May Day tradition ever since I was a little girl.

My mom once told me a long time ago that May 1st was May Day. On May Day, it was a popular tradition when she was a little girl that people would gather flowers, put them on someone's doorstep, ring the doorbell and then run away. I never knew the backstory behind the whole tradition. I just loved the idea of surprising someone with flowers. So every year, I would pick flowers for my mom and either put them on the doorstep for her to find or put them by her bed while she was still sleeping so that way they would be waiting for her when she woke up.

Sounds like my mom knew what she was talking about too. According to Wikipedia, May Day really does exist here in the United States:

"May Day was also celebrated by some early European settlers of the American continent. In some parts of the United States, May Baskets are made. These are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away. The person receiving the basket tries to catch the fleeing giver. If they catch the person, a kiss is exchanged."

Now that I'm older and don't live within walking distance of my mom, I simply post a picture of flowers on her Facebook page. I also sent her a text this morning filled with flower emojis to her iPhone. What can I say? I'm a big ol' dork who loves her mom and loves a fun tradition.

Happy May Day everyone!