I remember the day you were born very clearly. I was at Target when I got the call that you were about to make your grand entrance into the world, and I instantly dropped everything I was doing to go see you. I remember walking into the hospital terrified, but for my own reasons. I was at a difficult point in my life and your mommy didn't know yet, but soon she would. I remember walking past the nursery and quickly scanning the room with my nose pressed to the glass. There you were in the corner, wrapped in one of those hideous pink, white and blue blankets the hospital gives out. I remember fighting back tears because I was looking at the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and my best friend had created you. Neither of us knew it yet, but you would fill a dark void that would soon creep into my world.

As the months went on, I got to watch you grow right before my eyes, and as your mommy's best friend that was most incredible privilege I could have ever asked for. Sometimes your mommy would even get jealous because I was more excited to see you than I was her, but she knew it was only because I loved you as my own. I knew as soon as I came though the door I would be greeted with a giant toothless smile and you screaming, "BB" as you threw yourself at me. From then on you had my undivided attention. I would chase you all around the house and you would giggle and squeal the whole time. Eventually we would end up in your room, and I would either be instigating you to dump all your building blocks out or you would be shoving toys in my hands expecting me to hold them all and never put them down. Playing with you was my absolute favorite thing to do when I came to visit your mommy.

I greatly enjoyed days when your mommy couldn't find a babysitter, which resulted in her calling me up on my days off and begging me to watch you. Of course I said yes, how could I not? Those were my favorite days because that meant that you got to come over and we could do anything and everything and not get yelled at by your mommy. Because that's what cool aunts are for, right? Most of our days were spent in our PJ's watching Spongebob and eating yogurt melts. I had to make sure to keep on shows that you would watch because my house wasn't baby-proof and you would terrorize it if I didn't keep you occupied. My poor dog got more cuddles than she could handle on the days you came over, but you just giggled and thought squeezing her neck was the funniest thing.

There were days when I knew your mommy was having a tough day and just needed to be alone, so of course I stepped up to help give her a break. I remember days when I would come over and steal you away for a few hours so she could rest or clean the house, and we would go on walks down your driveway in the summertime. You were my best model when I was in a picture-taking mood. You loved being in front of my camera and I loved capturing your silliest moments on camera. Your smile has always been one of my favorite things. There were even nights when I would come over just to give you a bath and put you to bed because your goodnight kisses always put me in a better mood no matter what kind of day I was having. I could have been having the worst day of my life and getting your cuddles and kisses made everything fade away so fast.

Your mommy has always been one of my best friends and she always will be, and I'm thankful she understands why you are such a huge blessing in my life. She not only accepts it, but she embraces me as a role model in your life and that is more than I could have ever asked for in being her friend. She lets me love you like you're my own, which makes me so happy. It has been the biggest blessings watching you grow from a helpless little baby into a spunky and sassy toddler diva. You keep me on my toes, but you also keep me silly. You keep the child side of me alive and I love that. Just know that no matter how old you get, you will always be my little buddy and I will always love you to the moon and back.