Happy Birthday Mommy 🤍
There isn’t a milestone in my life you’ve missed. You’ve been at every basketball game, every graduation, my wedding day, the moment I became a mother (twice over). You were always there and I never had to wonder if you would be… which concerned me if I’d be able to show up in the same way for my children because of my demanding career. When I told you my plan to take this leap, you didn’t flinch and didn’t question it. You reminded me, as you always do, that I can achieve anything I put my mind to… something you were never told yet had the vision and strength to instill in me.
What I really want to celebrate today is just you and who you are because you have never once tried to fit the mold of what an Iranian woman is “supposed” to be. Although our culture is beautiful, it keeps mental illness hidden but you chose to talk about it out loud without shame or a filter. As a kid I won’t lie, I didn’t always love that, but as a mother now it’s one of the things I admire most. You are showing Hudson & Caspian what real courage looks like before they even know what that word means. We love you so much. Happy Birthday FunMa 🎂🤍
Reflecting on my own experiences as a mother, I have come to deeply appreciate the importance of having a strong role model who not only supports our dreams but also leads by example with authenticity and courage. Growing up, it was rare in my culture to openly discuss mental health struggles, which often left many feeling isolated or misunderstood. Witnessing a loved one break that silence, and confront these issues without shame, has been remarkably empowering. This journey has taught me that embracing vulnerability is a true sign of strength, especially when it comes to addressing mental health within family dynamics. Sharing my mother’s openness has helped me nurture a home environment where my children feel safe to express their feelings and seek help if needed. It's remarkable how such transparency plants early seeds of empathy and resilience in young hearts. Moreover, balancing career ambitions with motherhood echoes the challenges many face today. Encouragement from those who believe in us can make all the difference in taking leaps of faith toward professional goals without guilt. It reminds me every day that breaking stereotypes not only paves the way for personal growth but also redefines cultural expectations for future generations. In honoring this special woman’s birthday, I celebrate not just her presence at monumental life events, but the quiet, courageous moments that define true strength and love. Her example has empowered me and continues to inspire my parenting and my personal journey. To anyone reading this, I encourage you to cherish and recognize the remarkable people in your life who challenge norms and uplift you—because their impact echoes far beyond what we often realize.