3 Women On The Relationships They’re Celebrating This Mother’s Day

Is it just us, or is your ‘new year, new perspective’ vibe still living on way past January 1st? Bustle staffers were in agreement over a recent Zoom coffee break: we are all looking at things differently in 2021. We're actively seeking out ways to thank the friends and family who have provided unwavering support. Which is why certain days in the calendar are the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude. We started the year with heartfelt gestures for Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day, and next up is Mother's Day.

While Mothering Sunday is traditionally a day reserved for celebrating mums, it has evolved to include grandmothers, aunties and anyone with a maternal-energy in your life. We also recognise that for some, this day might represent a minefield of ‘it’s complicated’ emotions — for long-standing reasons or lockdown-related logistics.

Which is why, in partnership with Pandora, we’re inviting everyone to use Sunday 14th March as a day to also celebrate the women in your life whose support you couldn’t be without. Happily, Pandora's Mother's Day collection is a one-stop shop for gifting everyone in your life, whether it's the mentor who has stood by you, an aunt who helped raise you, or a friend whose mum-like care has helped you through the best and worst of times.

We spoke to three women to find out who they’ll be celebrating on Mothering Sunday — and how these special relationships make them feel loved and cared for.

Sarah says…

"This year’s Mother’s Day in particular [is] an opportunity to thank the strong women who have supported us..."

“Fortuitously, my father was Jenny’s flatmate in London in the '80s and this friendship has turned into a lifelong connection between my family and hers. I was born in the UK, but my family returned to Australia a few years later, and Jenny (or 'Jens' as we also affectionately call her) has been an ever-present (albeit geographically distant) character in my life until we met properly again in my latter teen years.

While Jenny has been a wonderful parent-backstop since I moved here four years ago (and away from my lovely mum and dad), the testing nature of 2020 has certainly brought us closer. I want to honour Jenny for the way she has organically extended her mother’s love to me in a gentle, ‘I’m always here’ way. I think that’s the joy of this year’s Mother’s Day in particular — it’s an opportunity to thank the strong women who have supported all of us, by caring in the way a mother might. Thank you, Jenny.”

Aimée says...

"Shout out to the time I shaved off half my eyebrow and she found the perfect pencil to fill it back in."

"Our parents split up when I was five and my sister was 10. It was obviously a time of sadness and worry...but even when things felt shaky at home, I knew I would be OK because I had my sister. Since then, her support has gotten me through many trials and tribulations — shout out to the time I shaved off half my eyebrow and she found the perfect pencil to fill it back in.

Normally, Mother’s Day is spent with her and my mum. It always feels like a celebration of our family of three women and the lovely life my mum managed to create for us. Now my sister has a daughter of her own and she’s the newest addition to our celebrations, which is a complete delight."

Sam says...

"The pandemic has meant that we haven't been able to see each other for a year now – but not a day goes by where we aren't in touch."

“I'm lucky to have the unconditional support of my mother, even when my dreams and aspirations take me (and keep me) on the other side of the world, away from her in Mexico. The pandemic has meant that we haven't been able to see each other for well over a year now – but not a day goes by where we aren't in touch.

Even when we have very little to say, we'll jump on a call to debrief on what we're watching and reading, eating, and drinking. The time difference means it's bedtime for me when we speak, but she can always tell when I'm starting to drift off. That's when she tucks me in, just like she did when I was little.

This year, I’m sending her some flowers, as mailing a gift from the UK would be tricky. But my dad used to always pick out jewellery, which we would give to her.”

-

We hope in sharing these three unique relationships, you now feel inspired to celebrate Mother's Day with all the special women in your life.

This post is in paid partnership with Pandora