Let me tell y’all something: there ain’t a single title in this world that holds more weight in my heart than “Mama.” My mama, Eloise Vera Harvey, wasn’t just a mother—she was a force. She was grace and grit all wrapped up in one. And on this Mother’s Day, I want to take a minute to honor the woman who raised me, shaped me, and prayed me through every high and low.

My mama didn’t just teach me faith—she lived it. Every day started and ended with prayer. She didn’t wait for Sunday to bring the Word into the house; it lived with us. I remember watching her kneel by the bed, calling on the Lord like she was speaking to an old friend. She taught me the power of prayer before I ever knew how powerful it would be in my own life.

She worked hard. Lord have mercy, she worked. Whether it was keeping the house in order, cooking meals from scratch with whatever she could stretch, or making sure we had clothes on our backs—even if they were hand-me-downs—my mama made sure we had what we needed. Not always what we wanted, but always what we needed.

She was firm, too. And if you knew my mama, you know she didn’t mess around. She had this look—the look—that would stop you in your tracks. I got that look more times than I can count. But behind that discipline was love. Real, unconditional, ride-or-die love. That’s the kind of love only a mother can give.

Everything I am today—the hustle, the faith, the sense of humor, the ability to stand tall when life tries to knock me down—I owe to her. She saw something in me long before I could see it in myself. And even when I messed up (and I messed up plenty), she never stopped believing in me. She never stopped praying for me.

When I look back over my life, I realize my biggest blessing wasn’t money, fame, or success—it was being raised by a woman like her. A woman who believed in hard work, kindness, and most of all, God. That foundation? That’s what carried me through.

So on this Mother’s Day, I just want to say thank you, Mama. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for raising a man with purpose. Even though you’re no longer here with me physically, I feel your presence in everything I do. Every time I pray, every time I speak from the heart, every time I help somebody—that’s you.

To all the mothers out there holding it down, raising kings and queens, showing up every single day—you are the real MVPs. And if your kids don’t tell you enough, let me be the one to say it today:

You are loved. You are appreciated. And we thank God for you.

Happy Mother’s Day.

With love,

Steve Harvey