“All I want for Mother’s Day is for my kids to write me a letter or a card, and then to have no expectations of me. I’d love to drink coffee and eat a breakfast burrito, take a walk and have some wine with a book in the afternoon.” — M.

From free events to BOGO chicken salad, restaurants, brands and retailers are helping to make Mother's Day easy and affordable this year.

Moms rule. No, really. With Mother's Day upon us, it's time to shout out matriarchs everywhere and celebrate the joy they've brought to us. (For much of my childhood, my mom was straight up my best friend and mostly encouraged my pop culture loves – though she wasn't too sure about the pro wrestling or Stephen King books!)