When I became an aunt nearly four years ago, I didn’t know then what I know now. Now, after wiping your tears after mommy left, changing your diapers, reading “just one more book” before bed, pushing you on the swing set, receiving pictures of you from your mom and dad, watching Peppa Pig, listening to you play the annoying recorder, playing “Don’t Break the Ice,” seeing you on video chats, and simply hearing you laugh, I have come to realize something:
I never want this to end.
To my nieces and nephews, being your aunt is one of my favorite things to do. I wish I could be with you more often than I am. It breaks my heart to hear you on the phone asking, “Do you want to have a sleepover?” or saying, “Come get ice cream with us!” It's even worse that the last time I saw you, you were barely talking and now you’re saying “Bye Annie!” on the phone. It makes my entire day to hear you say, “Love you, Annie.”
Because I am away at college, I feel like I am just a part-time aunt.
Because I am away at college, I usually only get to see videos of you playing your banjo or wearing your sister’s tutu.
Because I am away at college, I am missing out on many play dates and school activities. I am missing out on movie nights on the couch. I am missing out on tickle fights when mommy and daddy are gone. Most importantly, I am missing out on the laughs, hugs, and kisses goodbye.
If your moms are reading this right now, they are probably wishing I could be at their houses doing all of those things with you because they want me to be there just as much as I want to be there (and I’m sure they’d love a reason to escape from the house without you for a few hours). They understand how much I love you guys, and I hope someday you understand, too.
I also hope you realize that since the day you were born I have had your backs, and I’ll continue to do so until my last breath. It’s super cliché and I know you don’t even understand what that word means, but I never ever knew that someone so tiny would have such an impact on my life. You guys may not know this or care at this point in your tiny lives, but I think about you guys so often in a day. Sometimes I just look at pictures of you and think, “Wow, the cutest kids in the entire world are MY nieces and nephews.”
Ugh, I never want this to end. I never want you to outgrow me because I am most definitely going to be the aunt who is always up in your grill wanting to know everything about your life – but don’t worry, I’ll be there for you when you need money, but don’t want to ask your mom and dad for it, or when you just need to vent but it’s about something you obviously don't want to tell your parents about.
I’ve got your backs.
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” Though it’s SO hard being away from you guys, I am always looking forward to the next time I see you. I’m so excited for more adventures with you. I love you!
Love, Annie
