Birthdate: December 6th, 1968

Weight: 9 pounds, 9 ounces

Place: Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital, Detroit, Michigan

Parents: Donald Oliveto & Virginia Goodrich

Siblings: Lynn, Lori, Michele, Donald, Michael & Lisa

Spouse: Michael Castellaneta – Married May 19th, 1992 (and still going strong)

The two met in Phoenix, Arizona at a restaurant and bar called The Hungry Hunter. Mom was a cocktail waitress, and dad visited often to watch his cousins play music at the restaurant. They decided to get married after finding out I was on my way into this world (stay on birth control, kids).

Children: Ashley Nicole – Born May 19th, 1987 & Cassandra Joanne – Born November 17th, 1992

Grandchildren: Audrianna, Angel and Axel

My mom has lived her life bold from the very beginning. From being the only girl on the baseball team to having the loudest laugh in the crowd, my mom has stood out from the rest-and we all love her for just that. Mom is that friend, sister, daughter, colleague that will go to bat for you in the toughest of times. When it comes straight to it, she is there for you in a heartbeat.

Through the years, she has taught me the importance of acceptance. You can’t always control your circumstance, and in those cases she will say, “it is what it is.” My mom has modeled to her friends and family that being comfortable in your own skin is truly the best gift you can give yourself every day. Growing up, I never heard my mom speak poorly of herself. She wasn’t full of herself; she just knew all that she could bring to the table.

To this day, my mom is the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen or met. She encompasses traits that women only wish they could achieve in a lifetime. Luckily for me, she has been that model of strength, independence, intelligence, success, and beauty my entire life. Mom, I know a lot of daughters out there say that their mom is the best mom, but I really think you are the best one a girl could have. I love you so much, and wouldn’t trade our bond for anything this world has to offer.