Celebrating Mother’s Day 2025: Chicago Families Honor and Appreciate Mother Figures

CHICAGO (WLS) — Sunday was Mother’s Day, and for many it was a time to celebrate the moms and mother figures in their lives.

Many families were out and about enjoying great weather across the Chicago area this Mother’s Day.

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Chandler Tavenner relished on the job and joys of motherhood on her first mother’s day.

“It’s truly a blessing, especially since it’s Sunday. It’s a wonderful day for all the mothers to celebrate,” expressed Chandler Tavenner. “This means a lot to me,” she added, “because being a mom is extremely challenging and tiring, yet it’s also magical.”

Her husband, Dustin, ensured that the hardworking woman he loves could enjoy what most mothers dream of on this special day—a day of complete relaxation.

“You witness firsthand the effort it requires just to nurture this little person who is now a part of your life,” Dustin Tavenner remarked. “This makes me value her even more.”

It was a day where her heavy lift was limited to lifting a bouquet of flowers.

“He did all the bottles, the laundry,” Chandler Tavenner said. “I didn’t do anything.”

Over at Navy Pier, Renaee Henry and her son, Naeven Newell, celebrated her motherhood journey by showing support to other mothers.

“It’s such a beautiful day and I’m doing a stay mini vacation in our downtown Chicago beautiful city on Navy Pier,” Henry said. “It’s hard and it takes a village it takes a village to raise a child in this world to this magnitude.”

“We just collectively talked to all the mothers that came past, we gave out some roses, so it was a pretty nice time,” Newell said.

A mother’s strength, while often tested, can never be measured.

“It can be overwhelming but for me what matters is the love that you give,” Chandler Tavenner said. “Just be kind to yourself.”

However, it’s a job and journey worth celebrating, not just Mother’s Day, but all days.

“I admire all moms… it’s very hard job. We all should appreciate what they do for us,” Dustin Tavenner said. “I am very blessed to have a good mom myself, ‘Hi Mom!’ And also a wonderful wife.”