Becoming An Aunt

While becoming a parent is a new venture, many family members also take on a new role as well. From grandparents, to siblings, to godmothers and godfathers, all the way to becoming aunts and uncles. For everyone involved it is a unique experience for every individual. In some way or another you become a big part to this tiny human's life. You are a role model, a shoulder to lean on during tough times, a shoulder to cry on during hard times, a warm hug on a stressful day, a cheerleader at every milestone and event in their entire lives, and an ear to listen to any and all thoughts and worries. You may not have all of the responsibilities that the parents do, but in many ways you are the reinforcement for the parents. You are there to help guide this small being into a well mannered, amazing, unique, smart, and successful individual.

In my own life becoming an aunt was the best news imaginable. Not being able to have children of my own I knew that my nephew to be and future nieces or nephews would be spoiled and taken care of for life. I knew that the children my siblings and their spouses brought into this world, were going to be the closest thing to my own children ever and to me that became one of the most important, amazing, and rewarding jobs I will ever hold in all of my days here on Earth. I knew I would never take over the parenting role, that of course is not my job but once I heard a new little person was going to be joining my family I made it my mission to always be there for my brother, his wife, and my nephew. I would never overstep my role but I vowed to be the best aunt I could ever be because this child and any future children my siblings have were going to be my pseudo children and that warmed my heart in more ways than I could ever describe.

Going up I was always told I could never have my own biological children and at such a young age it didn't quite sink in which is how it should be, but as I got older and watched friends and family members have their own kids it was something that started to hurt because I knew that was never going to be my life. And when you grow up in a Catholic Irish/ Italian family with over 30 cousins and you are around little ones all the time, it's as if a timer goes off and you want your own. I've slowly made peace with not having them and if one day I marry the woman of my dreams and we decide to start our own family, I will be overjoyed and very thankful to whoever made that a reality for me, but until then I am not getting my hopes up.

But back to the story at hand, when I fist became an aunt I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest when I first saw my newborn nephew, so tiny and innocent and only a half an hour old. I cried as soon as I saw him and knew, HE WAS FINALLY HERE! I cried silently tears of happiness and amazement as I held him in my arms for the very first time, as I watched my younger brother and his wife smile their hearts full of love, joy, and peace as their new bundle of joy had arrived. I saw right before my eyes my brother turn from this doe eyed five year old playing with his Matchbox cars transform into a man, a father, starting his own family and own journey through life. I smiled blinking back my tears as I cooed and awed over my nephew, knowing that from that point on I was a sucker and already so in love with my new title of Aunt Katie.

I knew from that moment on that this boy and any future ones to come along had my heart and myself wrapped around their little fingers no questions asked. Anything they wanted they could have, anything they needed they would get, and anything they did I would be there to support them and love them unconditionally. So this letter is a message to them and as I write it there may only be one so far but here's to you all.

Aunt Katie will be there always, no matter the time, place, or circumstances I will be there. Arms opened wide, heart full of love, and plenty of advice and words of wisdom for you to use. And to my siblings as they begin their journeys of parenthood, if you need anything I will be right there to help. I will support you all always, I will respect you and your spouses as this is an entire new chapter in your lives, and I will always be there for free babysitting anytime you need it. I love you all and I am beyond thankful to have you all in my life. Thank you for allowing to have this title, this role, and share in the life of your children. No matter where I am in my own life, I will always be there for you all. No questions asked. I love you all and I love being an aunt.

THE END.