Dear Aunt Lori (Ree),

I read a quote once that said, “9 out of 10 children get their awesomeness from their aunt.” That's totally true so thanks for that! You might not know this, but you’ve shaped me into the person that I am today. You have done so much for me and I can’t thank you enough.

I have been so lucky to have you in my life for the past 18 years and to have gotten to be so close with you. I have loved coming to work every day and simply being able to just talk to you. It is something that is so simple and small but really has made such a huge difference in my life. We talk all the time and just the other day you were telling me about your life and I just couldn’t help but think about how cool of an aunt you are. I really wanted to tell you right then and there how amazing I think you are, but I just couldn’t find the right words.

Remember when I was little and Mom would drop me off at your house and you would drive me to school and on the way, we would jam to the song “Follow Me” by Uncle Cracker almost daily? That was years ago, but when I hear that song I still jam out so hard and it just brings back so many fun memories with you. While we're at it, thank you for including me and giving me opportunities I would have never had otherwise. You always invited me along for the ride whether it was to a place 5 minutes away or on a mini vacation at your lake a few hours away, but it made me feel like I had a place in your family.

I don’t think I can ever say thank you enough for all of the things you have done and continue to do for me. You make me laugh and cry and honestly I admire you so much. I know that you don’t think that you are all that cool and have accomplished much but I think that you have. Anytime I think about something that you’ve done or about all of the cool dreams that you have, I think to myself, “Wow, I want to be just like my aunt when I’m a "real" adult. I hope to have as many dreams as you have. I hope to be just as passionate.”

I love how you just have always understood me. We have had this special relationship and I guess I feel like I am a second you. We are so much alike and I am so proud to say that. Thank you for letting me vent when my parents suck. Thank you for the comfort hugs, and for putting up with long vent sessions over the phone or at work. Thank you for being the voice of reason when my mom and I butt heads. Sometimes she just doesn't understand, but I'm too annoyed or angry to make her. Thanks for always seeing things from my side.

Another thing that I cannot thank you enough for is supporting me in my dreams. You and Mom provided me with my first good camera for my birthday and that was one special day. If I hadn't received that camera I don’t think I ever would have truly found my passion for photography. You continue to support me and buy me camera gear even though I say you don’t have to! You let me build an art studio in your gazebo in your own backyard! Who would ever let someone do that? Obviously only a cool aunt would!

You have never missed a birthday of mine, you came to so many hockey games throughout the years, you came to my art show, my graduation, and so many more important things in my life. You have been such a big part of my life since the day I was born. I never knew that it was possible for me to have more than one motherly figure in my life, but you have helped raise me, and a little part of you has become a little part of me. You are my role model, my inspiration, and my second Mom and I love you so much!

Moving to college means leaving so many things behind and it makes me so sad. It’s time for me to spread my wings now, to go on my own and embark on new adventures. I know that you will be with me on all of this. You will continue to support me and that makes it all so much easier. Memory is a strong component to the human condition, and for that, I am very thankful. Many pictures, key chains, t-shirts and ticket stubs from concerts (Bruce Springsteen) and hockey games all to remind me of the amazing moments we shared and the moments yet to come. Memories are with us forever, encased in our minds and in our hearts. Even when it feels like I'm a million miles away, it just takes a memory to replay and everything is okay. I am so lucky to have an aunt like you and I cannot wait to come home from college and share all of my new memories with you because I know you will be right there ready to hear them all.

I love you. Thanks for being such a cool aunt.

Love,

Your Niece Corbyn