This year's Mother's Day, celebrated Sunday, May 10, offers Northern Kentucky families multiple opportunities to honor the mothers and grandmothers in their lives, from dining experiences to special events throughout the region.

As columnist Mike Tussey noted in the NKy Tribune, Mother's Day has become an occasion dedicated to recognizing the critical role mothers play in families and communities. The holiday, celebrated on the second Sunday in May, has deep historical roots dating back more than a century.

President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914 making Mother's Day a national holiday, but the movement began earlier. Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, is generally recognized as the founder of the legal holiday known as Mother's Day. Jarvis organized the first Mother's Day church service in 1908, inspired by her desire to honor her own mother's legacy.

For those planning celebrations in the Lexington area, a Mother's Day buffet will be offered Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Manchester Reserve, featuring Bayou Bluegrass Catering. Additionally, a Mother's Day Festival on Saturday, May 9, will feature special discounts at participating stores, musical performances, and food options from downtown restaurants and food trucks.

Tussey suggested several gift ideas for mothers, noting that Mother's Day spending exceeds $20 billion each year. Traditional gifts include flowers—particularly carnations—jewelry, spa treatments, and dining experiences. However, he emphasized the importance of personal connection, especially for those unable to celebrate in person. "The phone call is absolutely a must do," Tussey wrote.

Interestingly, Jarvis herself opposed the holiday's growing commercialization and began openly campaigning against those who profited from Mother's Day, including confectioners, florists and other retailers. Her campaign to make Mother's Day an official holiday had been hard-fought, but success came with unintended consequences.

Tussey drew on his own family experience to illustrate why mothers matter, sharing a memory of his wife Jo's stern but effective parenting when she intervened during their son Chris's baseball game in 1980 to discourage him from using snuff. "I noticed early on that Jo had that special maternal instinct that was always there at the right time," Tussey reflected.

The columnist urged readers to make plans now to ensure their mothers receive proper recognition. Whether through special meals, heartfelt calls, or personal gifts, he noted that mothers deserve celebration for their endless sacrifices and unwavering support.