For many people, the most anticipated day of the year is one in which the entire focus is them. A birthday may take many forms, from streamers to cake; however not everybody follows the exact same format for the perfect celebration.

Junior Mia Mondry gets a special perspective on her birthday, which is on the same day as her mom’s.

“I’m the only one in the family who shares a birthday with someone,” she said. “It’s fun to hang out with her. It’s a special connection.”

Having the same birthday as a relative has not only brought Mondry closer to her mother but brought the whole family together.

“We have a big family,” Mondry said. “We choose a restaurant to go to, and my whole family goes. It brings everyone closer in my family since we’re all very far off for ages. I doubt I’ll have a kid that has the same birthday as me, but I would like to be able to go out to dinner or something as a tradition.”

Though she doesn’t share the same birthday like Mondry, sophomore Emma Unrein also has a special tradition that she spends with her mother.

“I go around with my mom and get my birthday freebies from stores ever since it became a trend,” she said. “It’s fun to do. I get picked up from school by my mom and then we go do it.”

Many different places are famous for having certain free birthday gifts, but Unrein has a couple of targets she is sure to hit on her special day.

“I always make sure to go to Sephora because you get a self-care kit,” Unrein said. “Chick-fil-A gives you a cookie, and the Chick-fil-A cookies are so good.”

Over the past couple of years, getting to celebrate with this tradition has made Unrein’s birthday a more memorable moment that allows her and her mother to strengthen their bond.

“Traditions are [important] because it’s a special way to celebrate no matter what you have going on,” Unrein said. “If you have the routine of doing it, it can keep that fun going however long you choose. I want to keep doing this for forever.”