Dear Jonathan Cooper Thompson,

You aren't able to read yet. You're an adorable little baby (which is great), but reading isn't exactly a skill that you've had time to pick up. That's fine because one day you will be able to read this, and you'll be able to understand what's going through my head as I'm looking at this perfect little you right now.

Here's the deal little man, you are loved beyond belief. Consider how much your family loves you. Quantify that and try to imagine exactly what the limit of that love is. Now throw what you just imagined out of the window because it's wrong. There is no limit. We (especially your mom and dad) love you more than you could ever realize.

Let's talk about your mom and dad. They are two of the greatest people that I have ever had the pleasure of being around. I thank God daily for giving me the immense blessing of being able to count them as family. You lucked out little guy! Your daddy is one of the most caring and passionate men that I've ever met and he would (and probably will) move heaven and earth for you. Your mom is the greatest person on the face of this earth. Don't ask questions, just go ahead and accept the fact that she is. She is the strongest, wisest, most capable person I've met, and you will never be able to overestimate how much she loves you. You will never do anything that she won't be able to forgive. Trust her with everything. I don't know where I would be today if your mother and I didn't have the deep relationship that we have.

When you get a little bit older (pre-teens-ish), that love might start to seem overbearing or even embarrassing, and I need you to understand that it's the exact opposite of that. The love that your parents have for you is something that you should be proud of and that you should cherish daily. Yeah, you're their first kid so they're going to be protective, but understand that they do that only because they love you deeply.

Spend every moment you can with your wonderful Nana. She's going to love on you and spoil you every chance she gets. She's going to be the best friend you've ever had, and you'll be a better man for it (I can tell you from experience). Don't grow up believing that she is only there to spoil you and to call when you're angry at Mom or Dad. She truly is one of the kindest, most caring people that God has created and she did an amazing job raising your mother and I. When you get a bit older, start asking her questions about how this whole life thing works and you will see what I mean.

Here's what you need to know about me kiddo, you're my favorite. Words cannot express how much I love you personally but I am far more concerned with you knowing that you are loved by Jesus. Jesus loves you FAR more than all of us combined. Read back through this letter again and consider that statement. Before you were even born, He had already chosen to give you to us so that you could learn what love means because all love (including the love that we show you) is a reflection and a sign of His love for you. I said earlier that our love for you has no limits, but His love for you is big enough and strong enough to defeat death itself.

Your momma and daddy love Jesus so you're going to grow up in this thing called church. In church, you're going to hear all about Jesus and how much He loves you but as you read this I want you to stop and really break down this idea. Jesus (the lord of all creation) loves (is willing to put Himself on the line for) you (you specifically, Cooper Thompson). Let that define you. Don't be defined by any ability that you have or even by being a Thompson. Be defined by the fact that you are a child of God. Your own ability is going to fail (and that's OK) and to be completely honest your parents are going to fail too (and that's ok). Jesus doesn't fail.

Here's my advice to you; own your own relationship with Jesus. It's awesome that you're going to grow up in the church, but Jesus didn't die (and then rise again) so that He could have a relationship with you through your parents. That's how it worked in the Old Testament but the cross changes everything. Jesus wants you to personally know Him and realize how amazing He is. Side note, Jesus IS amazing and is worth pursuing. Don't just be around Jesus, engage with Him and get to know Him. Read the Bible (outside of church) because there's actually some pretty amazing stuff in there. Above all else, never doubt that Jesus loves you.

If you can't tell yet, the thing that I want to drive home here is that you are loved. There will be times when you forget that. There will be times when you doubt that. In those times, understand that just because you might not be able to see it doesn't mean that it isn't there. You are loved, you are being prayed for and you are a child of God.

I love you Cooper,

Uncle Nick