My Superheroes,

I don’t think I truly experienced amazement until I watched you create your own world out of cardboard boxes and old toys. The light in your eyes and the unwavering belief that your world was alive is an experience in itself.

The day I became your Aunt a maternal instinct clicked in my body. With each growth spirt I heard remnants of my Mother’s worry in my voice. The mini-heart attacks over you stumbling as you learned to walk, the heartbreak I felt over skinned knees, the absolute pride that swept through my body at your kindergarten graduations was unsurmountable.

I can never put into words the amazing light that you have brought into my life. The things I’ve learned about myself watching you grow is infinite. You’ve taught me the meaning of unconditional love, the virtue of patience, and shown me the level of pride I never knew I could showcase. The best thing you’ve given me is the title you allow me to possess: your Aunt.

Watching you grow has easily become one of my favorite things. I can not put in to words how proud I am at every band concert, baseball game, birthday party, science olympiad, dance recital, soccer game. Your #1 fan is conveniently your favorite Aunt, I know it’s pretty amazing.

However, you growing up is a double-edged sword. The world can be a brutal place. Those heartbreaks are going to hurt and those failures are going to sting. There are going to come days when you wish for everything to be different; there are going to come times when everything you want to say is stuck behind every word you can’t say. You are going to lose pieces along the way of things you thought you’d never break.

I pray that you always get back up. I pray you never settle for anything less than extraordinary. I pray you allow yourself to get humbled and motivated by a failure, rather than derailed. I pray that all those big dreams you tell me about become realities. I pray that you always apologize when you’re wrong. I pray that you never allow someone to overpower your voice. I pray that you do great things.

Finally, I hope you know that even when you stumble all you have to do is turn around because that’s where I’ll be. Whether you like it our not you’re stuck with me for life kid. You’re gonna move mountains one day and your Aunt is gonna be standing there telling everybody I told you so. I love you to the moon and back.

Much Love,

Your (Favorite) Aunt

PS Call me when your parents say no.

PSS Let your Mom know whatever happens at Aunties, stays at Aunties.