When I was a freshman in high school, my older brother informed me he was “pretty sure” he had his girlfriend pregnant. At the time, I really didn’t know how to respond. I loved my brother and wanted the best for him, and the thought of him having a baby at the ripe young age of 18 seemed a bit bizarre considering the fact he could never even manage to keep his shoes tied. The only thing I ever saw him “birth” was a model car out of a box.
At the beginning, everyone was hoping for a girl, even my brother. When the baby was revealed as a boy, there were a few disappointing sighs, and I think I, especially, was hoping for pink bows. Nevertheless, I tried to remain positive throughout the entire process. I befriended the girlfriend, stayed updated on the pregnancy, and started shopping for infant clothes with my mom.
On a normal October day in 2012, I was called out of Algebra II to go to the office. When I stepped out into the hall, I saw my mom standing by the office door with a huge grin on her face. I knew right then: I’m fixing to meet my nephew for the first time.
To say I was antsy on the two-hour drive would be an understatement. The excitement was absolutely bursting out of me as I rode in the back seat of a car with my mom and grandpa. I was so ready.
At the hospital, my brother met us outside and walked us up to the room. When I laid eyes on that cute little bird face, I felt so indescribably delighted and fulfilled. All I wanted to do was hold and cuddle him forever. I don’t think I actually realized how attached I would be to this little boy, precious Jeffrey, until I had to go back home, and I cried as I was closing the door behind me to leave him for a short week.
Since then, I swear tiny blue shirts, dirty hands, toy cars, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been the center of my world. Before he was born, before all of the beautiful madness, I had no idea what I was in for. I didn’t know having a nephew would change my life.
I learned that caring for and watching after a baby is a natural skill. I was feeding, burping, changing poopy diapers, and playing peek-a-boo all before he was even a month old, and I’d never watched after an infant in my life. All I knew was I had to take care of this baby boy, and there was no way I wasn’t going to succeed in being an exceptional babysitter.
My perspective of the future changed over the past few years. That’s the great thing about being an aunt if you’re lucky enough to experience it before you’re a mother: it’s a taste of what’s ahead. Because of Jeffrey, I know I will be more prepared when it’s my time to have a child.
Until I met my nephew, I had no idea how much love I truly had to give. He opened up my eyes about so many things, which is insane because he’s still only 3 years old. With each of his small personality changes, I feel myself and my life evolving as well. There’s no greater joy I’ve found other than seeing Jeffrey laugh and play happily with his dogs, with his cars, or on his trampoline.
You don’t have to be a mom to understand the love of a child. I know this from personal experience, as every time Jeffrey begs me to “come see” something in his room, every time he comes running when he spots me in public, every time he says “Cheriss, watch this!” and proceeds to perform some marvelous 3-year-old martial art move; I know he loves me and he knows I love him. When I look at Jeffrey, I see that he's not only his mommy and daddy’s gift, but he’s my gift, too.
