I wasn't at the hospital the day you were born. I wasn't there for your 1st and 2nd birthday parties. I wasn't there for your first set of holidays. Your first walk, crawl, smile.
But I was there for the evenings where we talk about all your favorite kinds of dinosaurs.
Play with your Legos and then accidentally stepping on them, instantly hearing your little giggle.
You made me an aunt.
The first time I had ever met you, you were two and a half. I remember vividly seeing you stand on my parent's front porch, asking you if you could say "Alivia". With your little hand on your chin, looking up, you (in the cutest baby voice I have ever heard in my life) said "nope". I am 100% sure this is the moment I knew I would love you forever.
Watching you grow into your little man personality and goofy self has showed me how fun life can be. I have never heard a child's laughter so contagious until I heard yours. You have given me a bond so strong that I will always cherish because, well, you made me an aunt. As you grow up and start to notice how the world really is, I hope you keep your goofy personality because that will make it so much better. When you go to middle school, high school, and if you want to go, college, just know that your Aunt Pearl will be there even when I am your "old, old, old Aunt Pearl".
Singing random songs with you, all of our random dance parties we have in Mimi's living room, and eating all the snacks in her kitchen, you have completely and without notice stole my heart and I will never want it back. I promise to always support you in whatever you do. Part of this deal, though, is you can't grow up too fast.
You have to stay as little as possible because I don't think this big ole world isn't ready for the impact you will make on it. I promise to always be your best friend. The one who always wants to take you on countless trips to Toys R Us because who else will run around with you, trying to find the perfect toy we can play with? I will always give up watching Netflix, but only if you want to watch something that badly. But more importantly, I promise you that I will love you forever and ever and ever.
I will never let you win our big hug war we have every time we see each other because you need to know exactly how much I love you. I will never not exaggerate the shocked look on my face or actions that I take every time your mommy says you have a girlfriend. Just think of me as an incredibly dramatic mother.
Blood doesn't make a family, love does.
You have made me a better person.
You have made some of my darkest days brighter.
You made me love myself again.
You made me an aunt. Aunt Pearl.
