Dear Amelia Mae,
I want to start off by saying that I haven’t even met you yet and I already love you more than anything that I have ever loved. I think it has to do with the fact that you are the spawn of my older brother. You are my blood. My blood is running through your veins as your blood is running through mine. I have a connection with you that is sacred to me and belongs to me only. Water’s sweet but blood is thicker.
Let’s go back to talking about my older brother. Your father. You will know him as some variation of “Dad” while I know him as the shit head that always made fun of me growing up, and kicked the soccer ball as hard as he could at my head when he forced me to play goalie. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We spent a majority of our childhood outside climbing trees, (I’d only make it so far up before I started crying and had to be rescued by my dad, your Grandfather, but we’ll discuss him later), or playing whatever current sport was in season. I hope for your sake and my own that you are encouraged to try sports. Kids these days spend most of their time inside playing video games and I don’t want that to happen with you. Good news is, is that they are putting softball back into the olympics, so I am going to train you to be the best damn softball pitcher there ever was. Besides Jennie Finch. But I digress...back to your Dad. I know there are going to be times when you “hate” him, but I promise you that he is doing everything for a reason. You should see the way his face lights up when he talks about you. You have become the best part of his life and you haven’t even made your grand entrance. Your father has been my best friend from day one and is one of the hardest working men that I know. Don’t be too hard on him. When he chases boys off, it’s because he knows that boys suck. And for the most part they do, but you will find a keeper one day. Just like my mom found my dad, and like your mom found your dad.
Speaking of your mother, let’s talk about her next. I know your mother as “Sill.” I think that most of the world knows her as Sill, except for the very few family members that she allows to call her Jess. Your mother has been one of the best things to have ever happened to your father. And coming from me, that says a lot. Growing up I disliked a majority of the people that your father dated. There was never anyone good enough for him until your mother decided to walk into his life. I’m not exactly sure the whole back story of their relationship and I probably don’t want to know it, but all I do know is that they met working at Lowe’s and it all went from there. Your mother keeps your father in line, and that’s just what he needs. I also knew she was a keeper when she asked for second helpings of dinner. Our family likes to eat, our family likes to talk, and our family is loud. You get that from both sides. Your mom is going to be the best mom, who I know for a fact is going to read to you every night. I’m also positive you are going to come out of the womb already loving Harry Potter and you can thank her for that.
Let’s talk about your grandmother. The woman that I am lucky enough to call my mother. She’s a lady who is known for her bleach blonde hair, her loud voice, distinctive laugh, and most importantly, her ginormous loving and giving heart. Your “nana” (if you so choose to call her), is the most selfless person I have ever met. I think about her and all of the things that she has done for me and everyone that surrounds her, and it literally makes me teary eyed. I have no idea where I would be without this woman, and I don’t want to find out. Your grandmother is going to become one of your best friends. I am so excited to see the relationship that you build with her, knowing that it is going to be built around nothing but love, kindness, respect, and honesty. All things that she taught me and your father growing up. One thing I need to tell you, is that she is the biggest Disney World fan I have ever come across, and I’m sure she will be the first one to take you there when you are old enough. I’m also sure that if she had it her way, The Lion King soundtrack would be blasting in the background in your delivery room. All I want you to know, is that your grandmother is going to be one of the best parts of your life and I want you to make sure your cherish every moment you have with her.
The next person I want to talk to you about is your grandfather, my dad. The relationship that your father and I have with your grandfather is unique to most. Growing up he was the dad who was always outside playing pass or shooting hoops with us in the evening, regardless if he had been working all day long. He never missed a sporting event or any other event that we participated in for that matter. Even if it was a boring band concert or school play that we all know he wasn’t interested in. He let me put his hair in pony tails and really was a good sport about everything. I know for a fact he’s going to be the same with you. I hope that you have a relationship with your grandfather like I had with mine. “Grampy” or whatever you decide to call him, is going to think the world revolves around you and he is going to treat you like the world's most royal little princess. The Cox men that I was raised around are the hardest working men that I know. They would give the shirt off their back to someone who needed it, and I take pride in sharing their last name. Your grandfather is going to do all he can to make quite certain that you have everything that you need and is going to spoil you rotten. Most importantly he is going to love you to pieces. Cherish every single moment you have with him, too.
Well Miss Amelia, these are just a few of the exceptional people that are going to be constants in your life, and there are MANY MANY more people who love you just as much as I do. You are coming into a very scary world, but just know that you are going to be surrounded by loving, caring, honest, and extraordinary people. There’s no one out there who will love you like your Auntie does.
All my love,
Auntie Em