Introducing our #wordtomymother series, featuring incredible stories from fellow foxes and their moms, just in time for Mother's Day! Whether they're memories, fun stories, or a list of the praises they very well deserve, our friends have plenty to say about the most important woman in their lives. First up, co-founder Sabena Suri!
My mom is my ultimate travel companion. This is a photo taken at the majestic Oberoi Rajvillas in Jaipur, India – truly one of the most beautiful properties I’ve ever stayed at. It was on New Year’s Day, right before we had to head to a welcome brunch to kick off a family wedding we were attending. Which explains her Indian outfit—I just hadn’t changed into mine yet.
Any trip to India is special to me. Whether it’s visiting family or attending a wedding, exploring where my parents were born and raised is such a cool experience and feels like I’m really connecting with my roots.
But this trip was especially significant because it was the first time I had a chance to explore India outside of the usual cities I visit (New Delhi and Mumbai). It was my first trip to the incredible cities of Jaipur and Udaipur—and I loved every single chaotic minute. Between the tiny markets, the crowded streets, the ancient temples, and the local cuisine, I can’t imagine a place with a more authentic culture that has remained largely unchanged by “modernization.” It was eye-opening. And amazing.
And traveling with my mom had everything to do with that. I say my mom is the ultimate travel companion because she plans every detail of the vacations we go on without ever making them feel over scheduled. They are planned, but still relaxing. There are tours, but it’s never touristy. You get the point. I’m just so thankful that her and my dad have exposed me to so much of the world and have always valued travel as a means to broaden mine and my siblings’ perspectives. As a family, we’ve been everywhere from Bali to Barcelona; Puerto Rico to Prague; and my mom has always meticulously planned the most amazing experiences for our family. I always leave a place feeling immersed in the culture—usually, so much so that I don’t want to head home.
I truly don’t know anyone as cultured and sophisticated as my mom. With her signature shawls and consistent slew of classicly elegant handbags, I’d like to think she passed on some of her good taste to me. Either way, I’m so thankful to have a mom who puts such an emphasis on stepping outside of my comfort zone and going to see the world. Even as I grow up, and have my own life in Los Angeles and beyond, I’ll never be too old for a Suri family vacation. In fact, it’s my favorite kind.
