This is a letter to the true buffers in every mother-daughter relationship, the aunts. They are the silent blessings that are never truly acknowledged. They have been in our lives every day since we were born into this world. Not only that, but they grew up with our mothers and fathers, so they know them even better than we do, and aren't afraid to tell us that.
They are the go-to for every Christmas, birthday, and Mother's Day present, because we know our mom has already dropped hints to them about what she really wants. They fill us in on the gossip that our parents thinks we're "too young to hear." They also always stand up for us when our parents call to complain about us.
Whether your aunt was married into the family or is a sister to one of your parents, they're a big part of your life now.
Without them, we wouldn't have those fun Sunday afternoons of playing cards and getting ice cream while Mom takes a nap. They take us on shopping trips, where it's OK to try on that really cute dress and pretend we might buy it.
One of the best days in our lives is hearing an aunt say "I am so proud of my niece," because they mean it. It's almost as special as hearing it from Mom, because an aunt is like a second mom. They are there for the track meets and the five-hour long choir concerts. Even when they can't make it, they still love hearing every detail.
Someone told me once that, "Only an aunt can give hugs like a mother, keep secrets like a sister, and love like a friend." Never have I heard a truer statement. They are the extra strength to our support system. The person who will always pick up our phone calls, even if it was an accidental butt-dial.
We never do give our aunts much credit, because it is a given that their support is there. But maybe we should all sit down and think of how blessed we really are with their presence (and their cooking). They're the groundwork to the women we are today, and the same goes for our mothers. They are sent from God to keep us sane when our parents are going a little crazy, and the same for our parents when we drive them nuts.
Not only do they watch out for us, but they watch out for our brothers and sisters, too. They talk our moms into an extra night of goofing around at Grandma's, they make sure each sibling feels like the coolest member of the family, and we are forever thankful.
So take the time to thank your aunt, not just for the things they give you, but also the love they show you. One day, we will all be aunts and we all know what big shoes we have to fill.
So thank you to all of my aunts. You've made this precious life much more memorable and filled with amazing moments that I can't wait to tell my nieces about someday.
