Maria had always faced challenges in her life. Born into modest means, life often dealt her tough cards, but she remained steadfast in her mission: to provide the best for her son, Aiden.
Earning her living as a janitor for a cleaning company, Maria put in long hours, sometimes stretching to 12 a day, ensuring Aiden never lacked. Recognizing the importance of education, she sent him to a reputable boarding school in the suburbs when he came of age.
“Promise me you’ll aim for college. I’ll do everything in my power to support you,” she whispered to Aiden as he boarded the school bus. Their bond remained strong, with Maria penning letters to him whenever she could.
As time passed, Aiden developed a passion for science and shared exciting news with Maria: he had a chance to shadow a doctor. This experience not only solidified his career aspirations but also introduced him to Linda, a fellow aspirant and the daughter of a doctor from the same practice.
Maria, protective as ever, cautioned Aiden about the potential challenges of dating someone from a wealthier background. But Aiden reassured her, “Linda knows our story, mom. She loves me for who I am.”
Their relationship flourished, and both pursued higher education together. Upon meeting Linda, Maria instantly recognized the genuine love and humility she held. So, when Aiden announced their engagement, Maria’s heart swelled with joy and she gave them her wholehearted blessing.
Maria took the initiative to host an engagement celebration at a nearby eatery, eager to get acquainted with Linda’s parents, Hugh and Elizabeth.
Linda hesitated, “Maria, I’m not sure about this. My parents can be quite judgmental. They weren’t thrilled when they learned about Aiden’s upbringing.”
However, as time passed, Hugh and Elizabeth begrudgingly accepted Aiden and even offered to finance the wedding. The event was nothing short of opulent. Linda donned a designer gown, a cherished gift from her grandmother, and the cake was a towering masterpiece, with a renowned chef overseeing the catering.
When Maria met Hugh and Elizabeth, their reception was cold. Upon inquiring about Maria’s educational background, she shared, “Life took a turn when Aiden’s father left, and I had to prioritize raising him over my studies.”
Elizabeth retorted, “Well, our hard work is the reason Linda has all this today.” Throughout the event, Hugh and Elizabeth mingled with their elite guests, including prominent city businessmen. When questioned about Maria’s identity, they seemed hesitant to admit she was the groom’s mother.
The ceremony progressed, and post the exchange of vows, it was time for family speeches. Hugh and Elizabeth were first, showering the couple with blessings. They then unveiled a gift, which was unexpected since Hugh had already borne the wedding expenses.
“We’re aware you’re looking for a home together. So, we’ve decided to cover all your furniture and appliance costs,” Hugh announced.
“Once you’ve settled on a house, it’ll be ready for you to move in,” Elizabeth chimed in. The crowd erupted in applause, and the couple’s gratitude was evident. Then, it was Maria’s turn. As she approached the stage, murmurs spread, with many anticipating a modest gift in contrast.
Maria wiped away a tear of joy as she congratulated the newlyweds. She didn’t care about the judgment. Maria was just proud of her son and daughter-in-law. But what she said next shocked the entire wedding party.
“I worked all my life and saved up to pay for your college tuition because I knew it would be expensive. Then you decided you wanted to be a doctor, and I thought, wow, even more expensive,” Maria joked.
She could tell that Hugh and Elizabeth were laughing at her, not with her. Maria reached into her purse for an envelope before continuing.
“The funny thing is, you got a scholarship to study medicine anyway, so you didn’t even need all the money I saved. So now that you’re about to get your doctorate and you’re getting married to this brilliant young woman, what better way to congratulate you than by buying you a house,” Maria revealed.
The entire wedding party gasped in shock as Maria opened her envelope and handed a set of keys to Aiden and Linda. Everyone stood to applaud while Hugh and Elizabeth were left stunned. After the ceremony ended, Hugh and Elizabeth apologized to Maria.
“We’re really sorry. We’ve mistreated you since the moment we met you. We apologize for judging you. You’ve really shown us how remarkable you are,” Elizabeth told Maria.
“Just remember, some of us might come from nothing, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be something,” Maria replied.
By the end of the year, Aiden had finished his doctorate and joined Hugh’s practice to work as a doctor.
Aiden insisted that Maria retire from working as a janitor. Hugh and Elizabeth followed suit soon afterward. Linda threw Maria a retirement party, and Aiden bought her a brand-new car to thank her for everything.
Soon, Aiden and Linda had children of their own. Maria lived as a grandparent for the children, a role she happily shared with Hugh and Elizabeth.
