Dear nephews,

It's been nearly five years since we've all lived together with several other family members in cramped quarters in the Chicago suburbs. Throughout those five years, we have been, as the saying goes, "through hell and back" with each other. You have seen me at my lowest points to my greatest successes including internships, jobs and now, college graduation. I have seen you grow into remarkable young men in countless ways and seen you grow during your most horrific and awkward years of youth. Most importantly I have been able to see the people you have become despite the crap thrown at you.

I hope one day you'll understand why I stop calling you my nephews and refer to you as my boys. Because, reality is, you are my boys. I helped raised you and will continue to raise you for as long as I'll live. I was there when you first learned how to ride a bike. I was there teaching you how to drive, gripping my seat praying you wouldn't kill us and eventually realized you're actually a better driver than me. I was there for your first fight with a friend. I was there for your first serious break-up. I was there when you guys had nightmares and wanted snuggles. I was there when you started your first year of elementary. Also, for your first year of middle school. I ensured I was available when things got rough, talking and joking to distract you from the sometimes less than rosy reality. I skipped courses, plans with friends, or even award ceremonies because I heard one of you were fighting bronchitis, had a championship or simply missed me. Needless to say, I was there for the biggest and smallest moments of your childhood.

Overall, you are my boys. You are kids of my own. You have my awful humor, my inappropriate sass, my ruthless honesty and my kindness. You have pieces of my heart that I don't ever want back. You give me unparalleled strength, so much love and joy that you guys are the reason for why I try so hard in this overbearing, scary and complex thing called life. But best of all, you guys taught me how to love someone and something so unconditionally that I wouldn't have ever learned from a partner, from a friend, or even a sibling. From when you walked in my life permanently when I was seventeen, fast forward to a few years of almost turning twenty-two; I have a perspective that I never wish to change. You three changed me for the better and I'll be eternally grateful of that.

I love you to the ends of the earth, my sweet, quirky yet ruthless boys.