<P> During its first eight seasons, the successful sitcom How I Met Your Mother often hinted at the unseen character of The Mother . Well - known actresses often made guest appearances on the show . Many fans expected that another would play one of the most - wanted roles in Hollywood, but creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas wanted an unknown . Using Anne Hathaway and Amy Adams as examples, Thomas said that "We didn't want it to be a big famous star because we didn't want the wider audience to have associations with whatever actress this would be...The whole idea is that Ted's never seen this woman before, so it better feel that way to the audience", similar to how Cobie Smulders being cast as Robin Scherbatsky had "kept the show alive" when it began . Bays and Thomas also did not want a large casting call . </P> <P> They chose Cristin Milioti after seeing her on 30 Rock and Once; her musical ability was also helpful, as The Mother had been described as a band member . After competing for the role against at least two others, Milioti filmed her first scene--for the last episode of season 8--having never watched How I Met Your Mother; she recalled, "I had ignorance on my side . So I didn't know what it meant ." Milioti learned of the character's importance only after binge watching the show during the summer . </P> <P> The Mother was born on September 19, 1984 . </P> <P> The Mother, joined by her roommate Kelly awaits the arrival of her boyfriend Max only to receive a call informing her of his death . After the funeral service, she returns to the apartment to open Max's last gift to her--a ukulele . The Mother spends the next few years grieving the passing of the man she believes was her one true love . </P>

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