To My Dearest Baby Niece,
The moment that I found out your mom was pregnant with you, the world changed. I cried - the ugly kind of crying - because I knew that you were going to be one special young lady. Indeed, you are. At the age of two-and-a-half months old, you are already chatty, sweet, loving, and curious. You are a ray of sunshine in a very small package. You are the daughter of my very best friend - my sister - and I expect nothing but brilliance from you. For the few months that you have been alive, you have been my everything. The highlights of my day are getting to FaceTime you and receiving your pictures. I'm not even going to pretend that I don't have pictures of you as my phone backgrounds all the time. Holding you in my arms for the first time was hands-down one of the most emotional moments of my life. I love you, my baby, and I will always be there for you in every circumstance. These are a few of the many, many promises that I have for you.
1. I will always buy you ice cream when your parents say no.
I feel like this is just the default cool-aunt duty. No more explanation necessary - I will always help you satisfy your sweet tooth, my love.
2. I will always come to your events.
Whether it is a concert in which you play Hot Cross Buns on the recorder, or the state championship softball game - I will be there. I will always support you in absolutely all of your endeavors. Whether you're just trying something out, or your heart is set on it, I will be there and I will be on your team. I will clap for you whether you trip and fall, or perform perfectly. The most important gift is showing up and showing love, so I will always do everything that I can to be there for you and be your cheerleader (your mom and I might slightly embarrass you with our extra enthusiasm, but when you grow up you'll laugh at us). I will always show up for you, my love.
3. I will always make sure we have fun together.
Whether we go somewhere super cool, like to the beach or an art museum, or somewhere simple, like the park or even Target, I will do everything in my power to make sure you have fun. I want you to be happy every day of your entire life. I want to take away any pain that you ever may experience. I know I can't do that, but I can promise that I will always be up for some laughs with my favorite girl. Whether you're having a bad day or not, I will always do my best to make sure we have a blast. I will always be willing to take you to the park to pet doggies, or take you for a drive to listen to some Beyoncé or Nick Jonas. Everyone will be "jealous of our chains." I will always do everything that I can to make sure that you are happy, my love.
4. I will always be a phone call away.
I will listen to any and everything that you have to say. Tell me about the girl that pushed you in line at school, I will help you work through your anger. Tell me about the butterfly that landed on your finger at recess, I will encourage your curiosity. Tell me about your favorite singing show on TV and this past week's results, I will welcome all of your commentary. When the time comes, tell me about the cutie in your math class, I'll reassure you of your kindness, likability, intelligence, and beauty and I'll encourage you to be yourself. Tell me about your struggle to find a homecoming dress that you like, I will take you to the mall, and if I can't I will go with you via FaceTime or whatever technology they've invented by then. Tell me when you get mad at your mom and your dad, I will listen and then remind you how much they love you and how much we all love you. Put me on your speed dial. I will always have time for you, my love.
5. I will always empower you.
You are special. You are valuable. You are intelligent. You are important. You are beautiful. You are loved. Your identity is unique and makes you awesome - don't you ever doubt that. I will always encourage you to read more books, understand the reality of how the world works, and stand up in situations of injustice, whether it be for yourself or for others. I will encourage you to be an activist for whatever it is that you find that you believe in or identify with. I will love you no matter who you are, and I will always encourage you to do the same for yourself. Your mom totally has all of this in the bag, but I will join the rest of the women in this family in giving you an example of what it means to be a strong, empowered woman in a society that desperately needs feminism. You are wrapped in such a big family full of strong, kind individuals who want nothing more than to support you and watch you shine. I cannot wait to watch you grow up into whatever it is that you want to be. I will always encourage you to be empowered and empower others, my love.
My baby, I hope you never doubt how much I love you and how much you mean to me, but this letter will always serve as a reminder if you need one. You are amazing, please never cease to believe that. You've got a team of people who love you to pieces, and you always will. Even though I live 6 hours away, you will always be a top priority in my life and I will do everything that I can to be whatever part of your life that you want or need me to be. This world has your name written all over it; go spread your shine.
Keep on smiling, Baba.
Love,
Your Aunt Who Loves You Unconditionally
