I'm 18 and currently working my first job. There is a woman in my office, let's call her Mary, who is always really sweet to everyone. She always organises cakes and celebrations for everyone and she's generally just lovely to be around. We haven't known each other for long but she always asks me how I am and calls me "my angel" all the time.

When I walked into the office yesterday, I was immediately met with early birthday wishes from lots of people there, a giant cake (I cannot emphasise enough, this cake was huge), and chocolate. And of course, it was Mary and another coworker who had organised it.

My 19th birthday is this weekend, and it is the first birthday I will be spending away from my now estranged abusive mother. Although she had a ton of issues, one thing she would always do for me was make me homemade cakes. It's been an incredibly sore spot for me and part of me has been dreading it.

Mary does not know about any of this. I've only known Mary for a few months. Mary is simply a mother as well and she's always kind to me and she gives warm hugs. And yet getting me that cake literally made my entire weekend. I thanked her several times and smiled and then I went to the bathroom and almost burst into tears.

The cake has been delicious- I've shared it with my younger sister and I had some for breakfast this morning. It was such a simple yet thoughtful thing and it is probably one of the kindest things I've had someone I'm not close to do for me.