To My Baby Nephew,

Let me start by telling you that you will never comprehend how much I love you or value our relationship. Even though you’re still a baby, and I’m only in college, you have made me a better person and shown me a new kind of love within life. When you cry, I cry, when you laugh I laugh.

My goal is to always help you live the best life possible with your family by your side. You may not be old enough to speak yet, but you’ve already changed our family dramatically, for the better. Within a year of your life, I already have a list as long as Santa’s, full of things that I would like to thank you for.

You brought our family even closer, who knew that was possible? Yes I’m talking about your Nanny, Poppy, Mommy, Daddy and all of our aunts, uncles and cousins too. We all have another excuse to get together now; to see you! Our newest edition to the family, and the cutest.

Thank you for showing me unconditional love. Although I already know what it feels like to be in love, or have unconditional love with the rest of the family, loving you is different. You may not be my own child, but I sure do love you like you are.

You constantly remind me of why every action in life is so important. I watch my tongue when I’m around you because I know you’re learning through what you see. Thank you for making me behave better, and realize how important it is to simply be a good human being. Everything that you become as an adult is because of everything you live through as a child, I will make sure that only good karma comes to you. I know you’ll learn from my example and live and love honestly with all of your heart. The only reason you’ll ever break a girls heart better be because of your good looks.

Thank you for giving me a peek into parenthood. I might be away at college, but when I am home I get to witness my siblings learn and grow as parents as you do as a child. Being away at college was already hard, but now I worry you’ll forget about me. Thank you for still smiling when we FaceTime and remembering, or just being amused, at my silly faces.

You are my escape. Being a college student is stressful, but when I see your face or get some time out of my days to visit, you remind me that my stress doesn’t matter. People are what matters, and you’re basically my person. It’s a good thing you’re too young to talk and comprehend everything because I’ve had some serious venting sessions with you.

Thank you for reminding me to laugh when I fall, literally. Every time I fall it’s so funny, huh? Instead of letting life get me down when I go through struggles, I think of your beautiful laugh and I smile. You give me the reminder to not take life so seriously and you give me a reason to get through the bad days. You let me act like a kid again, nothing’s better than rolling around on the floor with you or taking a trip to the playground.

You give me so many things to look forward to, whether it be taking you on your first picnic or watching you grow into the man I know I'll be proud of, everyday is a new experience with you. I can't wait until the day you start speaking, I can only imagine what will come out of your mouth. I will be that cool aunt that you can call and tell your secrets to, the one that will tell you all of your moms embarrassing childhood memories, the one that will always be there to pick you up when you're down.

The list of things you've done for me goes on and on, but I only have so much space to write. Ultimately, thank you for being you, and thank you for being mine.

I love you forever and always, to the moon and back.

XOX,
Your Aunt in College