Meanwhile, Ann M. Jarvis The daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, wanted to honor her mother. she requested that mother's west virginia church be allowed to celebrate a mother's day in 1908 in honor of mother. Every mother at church that day received two carnations -- Ann Reeves Jarvis' favorite flower. Now,carnations and other flowers are associated with mother's Day because they were handed out at the first celebration of Mother's Day.