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Happy Mother’s Day.

This one’s later than normal as I’ve been on full dad duty, cooking breakfast, and I’m still deep in dinner prep. I’ll let you know how that turns out next week.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge that today isn’t easy for everyone. For those of you who are missing their mums or the women who raised them, I see you, and I’m thinking of you today.

This newsletter is a bit different.
It’s not just about how my life’s going this week.
It’s a letter to my mum, my wife, and the women who have shaped me.

So let’s start with Mum.
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Mum
​We haven’t always had the smoothest relationship, and I’ll be honest, most of that was down to me.

I was stubborn and arrogant.
Young Lawrence thought he had life figured out.
I used to think you were stopping me from enjoying things.
Every time you said no, I thought you were just trying to hold me back.

But I get it now.
You weren’t trying to ruin my fun.
You were building a man. A man with values. A man grounded in who he is and where he comes from.

You told me to read my books. I ignored you.
You warned me about the people I was spending time with.
You told me, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are."
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These are words I now use when I’m talking to young people.

I didn’t listen.
You tried to prepare me for the world. I thought I knew better.

Even when I failed all my GCSEs, you never gave up on me.
You still believed there was greatness in me, even when I couldn’t see it in myself.

And when I was relearning to walk and tried to push everyone away, you stayed.
You kept showing up, no matter how much attitude I gave you.
You took the frustration, the anger, the pain.
That’s what unconditional love looks like.

You raised four children, and honestly, I don’t know how you did it. Some days I’m tired with just one!

You came to this country at such a young age, with nothing, and built a life with Dad from the bottom.

No shortcuts, just pure hard work. You never complained.

Life threw so much your way, but you always got back up and kept going.

I guess this is where I get my resilience from.

And you didn’t just raise your own children.

You created a home that welcomed everyone.

Nieces, nephews, their partners, friends of the family.

Your door has always been open.

You cooked for everyone like it was nothing. Pounded yam for ten people? No problem. I struggle to make it just for myself, LOL Now that’s what I call Mum strength

Now it’s my turn to look after you.

To help create new memories.

To give back some of the love and care you poured into me.

I hope I’m making you proud.

To my wife

Watching you become a mum has been one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

The way you love and care for Zeke is next level.
The patience. The energy. The gentleness.
It’s in everything you do.

If there’s one man in the world allowed to steal some of your love from me, it’s him.

You somehow balance everything.
Your career.
Being present for Zeke.
Being a wife.
Being yourself.

And you do it with so much grace.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when you’re tired.

You are the heartbeat of our home.
Thank you for showing up every day.
For loving us the way you do.
For being you.

To the other women who’ve shaped me

They say it takes a village to raise a child.
I’ve been lucky to have a village full of strong, loving women.

To my mother-in-law.
To my aunties.
To the mentors who’ve poured into me through every season.

Thank you.

For every conversation.
For the advice.
For the meals.
For the tough love.
Thank you for showing up when I needed you most.

You’ve each left a mark on me. And I carry that with me every day.

To the friends who’ve become mothers

It’s been amazing to see you step into that role.

I’ve known some of you since before parenthood, back when we were running around in college and had no responsibilities.
Now you’re raising children.
Building homes.
Creating families full of love.

I see you, keep doing what you're doing.

Happy Mother's Day!

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