One of the best experiences in life is being an aunt. Being able to see your nieces and nephews grow up is so life changing. Being an aunt teaches you to not only grow in responsibility, but to learn how to unconditionally love someone. Obviously we grow up automatically loving our parents and siblings, but as an aunt, the love is a different kind of love.
The moment that your niece or nephew is born is so special. I still remember holding each baby in my arms. I remember how small and delicate they all were. It was in these moments that I fell love with my nieces and nephews. This is when, as an aunt, you realize that these kids are going to mean the world to you.
Nieces and nephews from biological or non-blood relative circumstances does not dictate what type of love or how much love that you can give to them. For example, I have nephews that my sister is fostering to adopt. I still can remember the day that they arrived at my sister's house. The excitement was just as overwhelming as heading to the hospital to meet my sister's brand new babies. I cannot see a difference in the love that I have for the boys that my sister is fostering, versus my blood-related nieces and nephews.
How much I love them can scare me. This is because I simply cannot fathom anything happening the these kids. I also know that I would do anything for them in a heartbeat. I can honestly say that I do not love anyone as much as I love them.
Some of my favorite memories as an aunt are the times when my nieces and nephews express to me their love to me. From the times that they refuse to leave until they give me a hug or when they just cuddle up next to me watching a movie, the little things mean just as much to me as the bigger moments. Who knew when a kid colors you a picture all outside the lines with weird color choices, it would end up being artwork that you proudly hang on your walls for everyone to see.
As an aunt I have grown a lot as a person. I like to say that they have made me better in all aspects of my life. I appreciate my relationships with my other family members and friends more and on deeper levels because I know what an unconditional, truly loving relationship is like. I always strive for relationships like those.
I am just so immensely grateful to be able to love these kids and have them be such a big part of my life. I can not imagine a world while growing up where I did not have them in it.
Love Always,
Aunt Shay (Shannon)
p.s. They are in the picture above!
