It’s impossible to deny the role our mothers play in our lives. For a lot of us, she is so much more than simply being the woman who popped us out into the world: mom is the person whose name we first learn and the only person in the world who would always love us unconditionally no matter what we do.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we got 12 admirable women to tell us about their fondest memories and bonding moments with their moms, as well as what they’ll be doing to mark the special occasion. Scroll through the gallery below for their answers!