Ever since I was little, I've always been inspired by my Aunt. We shared a bond that not many people get to experience, and I felt closer to her than anyone else. She showed me an unconditional love that is so rare to find. In my eyes she is the most perfect person and anyone would be crazy not to be awed by her. She possesses an exquisite beauty. Her deep brown eyes are full of nothing but love and her smile is so contagious. She's one of those people you never forget. Though my time with her was cut short because her and my uncle are no longer together, she will always be someone I look up to.

To my Aunt, my Godmother, my Role Model:

Thank you. Thank you for being a big sister, a second mom, and a best friend. Thank you for loving me as if I were your own.

Thank you for approaching every situation with such strength and elegance. You so easily calmed me down whenever I was worried or upset. I felt a sign of relief every time I was around you because I knew no matter what, everything would be okay.

Thank you for making me feel pretty all the time. I will never forget the countless hours we spent in the bathroom talking while you put curlers in my hair. You never failed to make me feel like the most beautiful little girl. You instilled a confidence in me that I can’t explain and it has remained with me all these years.

Thank you for being the best secret keeper. You could always get me to tell you anything. I trusted you with my entire life and I could not be more grateful to have had you as my guardian.

Thank you for supporting me. You always believed in me. You encouraged me to be anything and anyone I want in life. I remember when I was nine and I wanted to be a teacher like you, so you brought me into your classroom in the middle of the summer. You let me help you put your room together and decorate the bulletin boards. Right before we left, you told me that someday you could be helping me with my own classroom. You knew that I could do whatever I set my mind to and you were constantly there to help me.

Thank you for always including me. I loved when you asked me for my opinion on something. I was so excited when you showed me your wedding dress. You made me promise I wouldn’t tell anyone what it looked like because you wanted everyone to be surprised. It was so pretty and I was in love with it because it wasn’t actually a dress, it was really a top and a skirt put together. I hope my wedding dress looks like that and I hope I look as beautiful as you did walking down the aisle.

I carry a part of you around with me everyday. You played an incredibly important role in my life and every day spent with you was my favorite. When I think of who I want to be as a person in the future, I think of you. I hope I can impact someone else’s life the way you impacted mine.

You were the first person to teach me that sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, they can’t be in your life forever. I miss you all the time, but I understand sometimes things just don’t work out the way you want them to. You deserve to be happy more than anything and I’m so lucky to have had you as a part of my life, so thank you. Thank you for being my Aunt and a second mom. Thank you for being my inspiration. Thank you for being you.