Mothers. Mum. Mama. Mom. Amai - What do you call Mum in your language? Comment below.

I think we've all become quite aware of what this special woman does for us, whether we want it or not. 

She makes us delicious food out of the most boring ingredients, and I hope I'm not the only person who wants to have that sort of creativity.

She works hard at her job, providing us with what we want and need, knowing that we'll thrive. 

She can be hard on you when you're not at your best, or maybe toxic traditions and unspoken trauma have kept her from showing you all she is, and as you get older, you do your best not to take it so personally.

I can't imagine what it must be like not to have mine in my life - there's a sense of stability and direction when she's around, even if she's listening to the radio in her room.

I hope today's story reflects that love, and inspires you to write your own.

Enjoy.

I think it's amazing that Mama's birthday is also on Valentine's Day. I bet it's like those people who are born on Christmas Day - double presents and double celebrations.Unfortunately, Mama's at work today, but I have decided to set up a surprise for her. You see, she expected breakfast in bed this morning, but Jude and I just made porridge for her to eat and pretended to be asleep as she walked around the quiet flat this morning.'Are you sure this is going to work?' Jude asked as we crept out into the clean kitchen later on. 'She'll be so sad when calls to check on us.''We stick to the plan,' I tell him, firm, as I grab a bowl and scoop as much of the food as I can. I sit down and eat as quickly as I can for the plan I have planned so well in my head.As Mama calls Jude to help her with groceries halfway home later today, I would have transformed the living room into a magical place to celebrate. I have saved all of my pocket money to do this, building up my stash in my room and odd places that only my big brother could reach.My big brother is eating his food slowly, wondering if it will be worth it. 'She'll be exhausted when she gets back.''Not with what I have planned, I promise,' i finish my bowl and dump it into the sink full of soapy water. 'Hurry up, I want to get to the shop before it gets busy.'I run off to my room and look for something casual to wear, that can make my intended party outfit shine.After a quick shower, Jude goes in to take his shower and I whip out my shopping list for the final preparations of the day, including a bouquet of roses, a chocolate cake and a card.I count my cash sitting in my wallet, double-counting to avoid surprises at the till.I finally do my hair, fasten my shoelaces and leave my room to wait for Jude.He's out in no time, just zipping up his hoodie. 'you got all the cash?' he asks as he checks his shoes.'yeah. you got extra?''yeah, just in case.'I roll my eyes. Maybe there's a girl who might beg him to buy her a slab when we're there, or he just doesn't feel like sharing.We make sure the flat is secure before we leave, then find the store filling up with people from church. I grab a basket as Jude inspects the rose petals.They're not the biggest bouquets, but they are fresh with sprinkled water and fragrance, making me smile. We're out of the store before we know it, the service unusually quick, but I'm not thinking much about it as I look at the free chocolate the cashier gave me on the way out.'i'm tall, but I'm still a kid,' Jude mumbles under his breath, bothered?'dude. you bought two slabs of chocolate.''things taste nice when you didn't buy them.'I laugh. Mama says that a lot when we virtually wolf down her delicious dinner every night, trying to look mad when she's glad to see us like this.I know she misses Dad a lot. He left us three years ago, and even though we're covered with a fully paid flat and university fees for Jude and me, Mama makes sure whatever money we have will last.I wanted to do this because Dad made her birthday such a big deal, and since he died, she has been okay with simple breakfast in bed, cards and flowers, feeling his absence so sharply. We all do, every day.-Jude gets to hanging the decorations while I make macaroni and cheese, with extra cheese and chicken.I check on him as the chicken boils, the living room looking just like I imagined it. 'Great job, bro.'Jude nods. 'it's nothing.'We sit down and blow up some balloons we purchased at the last minute, already half-priced. In fact, lots of Valentine's stuff was half-down if you looked closely enough. That's how he managed to buy another slab of chocolate, amongst other things.I jump up in the middle of tying a balloon, realising that I left the chicken too long. Luckily there's enough water left when I get there, and Jude helps me with cutting the chicken while I line the baking pan for the pasta.We stare at the piles of grated cheese as it slowly melts in the oven.'you think you can get it crispy just like she does?''yeah, I paid enough attention,' I hope so, making this food from raw memory.We clean the kitchen and get changed as Mum's knock-off time approaches, making sure that everything is ready.The cake is surrounded by her favourite snacks and little red-and-white streaks. One wall has letter balloons spelling 'Happy Birthday Mum' in gold with more heart-shaped balloons.Jude streaks to the door when his phone rings.'Yes I'm coming,' He nods as he leaves, and I stand up to calm my nerves. I really hope that Mama loves this surprise.Minutes really drag along - I drink too much water and my dress starts to feel tight, so I make a quick run to the bathroom.I see the shadows of my brother and mother float past my window and I hurry back to the kitchen and pull out the pasta, steaming then I walk to the living room, waiting for them to come in.'Let me sit down first before I tuck into my food,' I hear her tired voice echo as she approaches the room. Jude pops up first, fishing the roses as she walks in, stunned at the set-up.'Surprise! Happy Birthday, mama!' i jump, worried about her facial expression that hasn't changed, her mouth in a slight frown.Jude still has the bouquet out, also wondering.'oh, thank you my loves,' she chokes, tears pouring down her cheeks as she stretches her arms out to hug us, and we do, Jude rubbing her back, my own eyes stinging.Mama pulls back and wipes her tears. 'Oh, I love it!' she takes the roses from Jude and walks to the table full of food. 'how did you pull this off?''It was Shai's idea,' Jude shrugs. 'I just helped out.'I fetch the birthday girl sash and Mama puts it on, proud as I place the tiara on her head.We sing happy birthday and do a little bit of dancing as Mama holds a picture of Dad in her hands, in spirit.'cake?' Jude asks her.'Oh no,' she chuckles. 'I want to try the pasta first.'Nervous, I go to the kitchen and dish it up. It looks amazing so far; hard crust, soft inside, smelling divine with the secret spices Mama likes to put in everything she makes. Mama grins as I walk in with the food on a tray, and proceed to serve her juice.She doesn't speak as she digs into her late lunch, Jude nervously gobbling on one of his chocolates.Finally, 'wow, Shai. This is amazing. Almost as good as mine!'I sigh in relief. "I'm glad you liked it!'she nods and relaxes on the sofa and I slowly pull off her shoes and replace them with fluffy slippers as Jude tells her about my plans to the smallest detail. I see her face change as she realises that the little silence of the morning was all a trick. she shakes her head, amused as usual.The rest of the afternoon goes on well, enjoying the snacks as she tells us about how crazy people are about Valentine's specials and how their money just goes...Another successful Birthday/Valentine's!*wow! What a story! If you enjoyed it, let a friend know about it and stay tuned for the last story for the week tomorrow! See you then!