It wasn’t until I was a year into college that I realized that I really was becoming my mother.  I would have recoiled at such a suggestion only months before, when I lived at home and nuclear-blast-level arguments were a common occurrence.  Like my mother? We’re nothing alike.
 
After a year of living away, I began to see that our past arguments had been fueled not by an emotional distance, but by how much we cared about each other and how easily it upset us when there was a bump in the road.  We butted heads because of our similarities (we are both stubborn, opinionated, and hot-tempered) that made it difficult to reconcile our differences (she’s a clean freak and I’m… well… not).  Underneath the issues we had, we were actually extremely close.  I called my mom at least 3 times a week for the majority of my time living away from home to tell her about my life or complain about classes, because despite the many friends I had made at Rutgers, my mom was always my most valued confidante.

It wasn’t until living away from my mom that I could really appreciate the amazing woman that she is.  There are other good moms out there, yes, but I’ve met a lot of moms and I’m telling you I don’t know of many who really are on the same level of selflessness, caring, and strength as mine.  She’s the type of person you can look up to, and I do.  In many ways, I want to be like my mom when I have a family of my own, and in many ways I am already like her– which is mostly a good thing.
 
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, so I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’m going to get/do for my mom, but I won’t detail it here because she reads this blog from time to time.  However, if you want to show your mom how much you appreciate her, I can give you an idea that will make her smile.  Mother’s Day comes only once a year, so don’t waste a single minute of it.  Start her amazing day off with amazing food.  Going out to Mother’s Day brunch is an option, yes, but 1) the prices are always jacked up for the holiday, 2) no matter where you go, they are either going to under- or over-cook your eggs, bacon, and/or toast, and 3) you can do better.
 
If you really want to impress her, whip her up a batch of this Brown Sugar Caramel French Toast.  Nothing says “I love you” like a sweet treat and coffee in the morning.  Especially if that sweet treat is a caramel-dripping stack of warm french toast with fresh berries and whipped cream.  Oh man.  I’ll bet you won’t find anything this delicious at a diner near you.
 
My friend, Komal, who I talked about in the last post, taught me how to make this french toast and I am in love with it.  This is the same french toast they make at Telepan in NYC and I can understand why it’s the most requested brunch item.  Granted, at Telepan they top theirs with pomegranate seeds and I asked that we use strawberries instead because they are finally in season, but besides that, this is the same exact thing, and it is ridiculously good.
 
Finally, to the mothers reading this, have a wonderful Mother’s Day.  Whatever you and your family do, I hope it is full of the sweetness you deserve!