By Rosalyn Kahn, Freelance Journalist, Born to Age

This year’s Mother’s Day deviated from the traditional celebrations involving brunch and floral arrangements. Instead, it was filled with laughs, love, and stories from women—and a few honorary moms—who’ve turned life’s toughest moments into comedy gold. And trust me, you didn’t want to miss it.

The night kicked off with the incredibly talented Lin Sun, who was the opening comedian. The first Cambodian American woman to headline her own comedy special, Lin’s storytelling took us through the complex intersection of identity, motherhood, and survival. Her humor isn’t just about jokes—it’s about healing, thriving, and embracing who you are. Lin is unapologetically herself, a breath of fresh air in a world that often tries to stifle voices like hers. Her routine set the tone for a night of authenticity and humor we didn’t know we needed.

The headliner—Andrea Abbate—who stole the show. With four marriages under her belt, a handful of kids, and a heart full of humor, Andrea had us all in stitches. She talked about raising her brother’s kids while he was in prison that didn’t glamorize the rough path her brother took. To make sure they didn’t follow in their father’s path, she taught them “snitches get riches,” so that no one would want them in their gang or on their crew team because if they got caught – everyone would be. She made it sound like the best piece of motherly advice you could ever hear.

Her best Mother’s Day gift? A designer purse— her kids got her – with the security tag still on it. That had the room laughing. But beyond the humor, Andrea emphasized the importance of teamwork in life and how no one makes it on their own. And as if she couldn’t be more relatable, she shared that she volunteers for a suicide hotline. “When people are feeling down they isolate and start giving their belongings away… which is kind of a perk working there. That’s how I got this dress!” Her humor is both dark and uplifting, and it’s clear her heart is as big as her talent.

And speaking of laughter, The Ice House was the perfect spot for this crowd. No long lines, quick service, and tasty garlic fries that are leagues ahead of any stadium snack. The watermelon lemonade? So good, you’ll be dreaming about it. The manager proudly explained, “We’re a full-service restaurant and bar,” and that is no joke. With three venues to choose from, there’s no shortage of comedy for your weekend fix. Some nights even have10 shows that include music and much more .

Now, let’s not forget Mae Lin. This woman has a story like no other. Growing up, she learned that making her mom laugh was her way of survival. If she could make her mom smile, she could avoid the whooping that was bound to come. It was her superpower. Mae shared how she got started in comedy—completely by accident. Her ex-boyfriend dared her to try a comedy club. She went on the wrong day, but her sister convinced her to take the stage anyway. It was a disaster, but they invited her back the next night, and the rest was history. A major comic, Mark Currie, saw her, and just like that, her comedy career began. She’s now been performing for years, and her ultimate goal?  To write about her journey, a book we’ll all be reading soon.

Then we had Heather Baker, who shared how comedy saved her life after heartbreak and a tough divorce. And Lorena Gomez, who tackled postpartum depression with humor that was honest and real. “Laughing saved me,” she said, “and now I’m giving that gift back to others.”

We also had a gay Latino comic who became everyone’s mom’s favorite guy in the room. Charm, wit, and the kind of energy that makes you feel like you’ve known him for years.

And lastly, there was a Shakespearean-trained comic who brought a touch of class to the whole show. His delivery combined high art with humor, making us laugh while feeling like we were in a performance of Hamlet—with punchlines.

The takeaway from the night? Motherhood is messy, beautiful, and unpredictable. It’s filled with laughter, struggle, and moments of strength you wouldn’t believe unless you saw it. Whether you’re a mom, a sister, an aunt, or just someone who’s taken on a motherly role in someone’s life, your story matters. Laughter is what holds it all together.

So, forget the traditional brunch next year. Bring the mic, and let the laughs roll.