If we could add another national day to the calendar, it would most definitely be an Auntie's Day.
For so many of us, our aunties play a huge part in our lives. For others, they've even taken on a motherly role - which is why this Mother's Day, we think it's high time the aunties got a mention, too.
For Hayley Smith, 32, her auntie, Lindsey Dickson, has been one of the most important people in her life since she was born. Hayley was raised by both her grandparents and her mum, but no longer has a relationship with either of her parents.
"My auntie has always been a mum to me," Hayley tells Tyla. "I was raised on and off between by my grandparents and my mum - who I haven't seen now for 15 years - but my auntie Lindsey was always around. No matter what, she always made time for me.
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"She can't have children of her own and she always wanted to be a mum. She really took me under her wing as an adoptive daughter and I was constantly at her house growing up, but it wasn't until around 10 years ago that we became really close. We don't have a big family and we hold on to the small family we have.
"As I got older, I realised we have a lot in common. My dad is her brother and neither of us have a relationship with him and so we bonded over that.
"My grandparents who raised me both have Alzheimer's and are both in a home now, but she lives 10 minutes away from them in Suffolk and she is just their saviour. Even before they went into a home she gave up everything to look after them."
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Hayley has been unable to see Lindsey since January last year due to the covid pandemic, something she says has been "exceptionally tough".
"She's had some really hard times and has had a tough time during covid but she still comes out smiling," she continues.
"As a family we've had some very difficult times, especially with my grandparents going into care. My nan is very ill, I've had to say goodbye to her three times, and throughout that we've been there for each other.
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"She's very loving and the most patient person I've ever met in my life."
Over the last year Hayley and her fiancé, Marcus, have had to reschedule their wedding three times, something Hayley says Lindsey has been "so supportive of".
And Lindsey has taken on such a parental role in Hayley's life, that she's even asked her to walk her down the aisle at their wedding in July.
"We were supposed to get married last May, then we rescheduled for June, then again for this May, now it's July. She's been incredible, so supportive every step of the way.
"When I asked her to walk me down the aisle she burst into tears. We took her out for lunch to ask her and she didn't know it was coming at all. I wouldn't want to have anyone else.
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"It was always in my mind that it would be my grandad, but he can't even come to the wedding now as he's very ill."
Hayley explains that while she used to mark Mother's Day with her nan, she always calls Lindsey to say happy Mother's Day. "I always say happy Mother's Day to Lindsey and tell her I love her. There should be an Auntie's Day," she continues.
"I feel so lucky to have her and I credit her for the woman I am today."
Featured Image Credit: Hayley Smith