Becoming a Great Aunt

​I recently became a Great Aunt. I've been waiting for this day for so long because it seems like forever since we had a baby in the family—seventeen years, to be exact. I'm so excited that I know I'll soon refer to life as it existed before Elijah and life after Elijah was born. It will be that prominent of a life event. I insisted that I help plan her baby shower, and my in-law sister-in-law (yes, I said that right, it's a story for another day) offered to plan it with me. We gathered details about her registry, I found, and we booked the venue and invited family and friends. I ordered the cake and cupcakes and searched for the cutest baby animal decorations since that would also be the baby's room decor theme. 

As the days and weeks start to pass, I notice something strange. I call, and I am still waiting for someone to answer. I send a text, and I get a one-word response. I ask her if there's something wrong, and she says no. I apologize anyway because I can tell something is wrong, and regardless of what it is, I know that I did not mean to hurt her feelings, make her mad, or upset her in any way. 

Fast forward to the day of the shower, and everything was perfect. I bought several canvases, ironed on the outline of a baby animal on each one, brought paint and brushes, and set them up on easels for guests to create art that my niece could keep for the baby's room. I also made customized aprons with the details of the shower for guests to take as party favors. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that nearly everyone we invited would come, but forty people showed up to celebrate my niece and her soon-to-be baby. The feeling of all that love in one room was magical and unforgettable. The only problem was that I couldn't find my niece, who was 30 minutes late. Relief washed over me when she finally walked in because not only was she ok, but she looked stunning! 

I lost my mom and sister, and my niece lost her mom and grandma. We didn't think this was what our lives would look like so early. We are too much alike and yet uniquely different. She is intelligent, bold, honest, and brave; my sister is proud of her. She had to grow up so much faster than anyone else in the family. I'm glad I mean so much to her that she feels safe enough to take things out on me when needed. It means I'm important to her, and that means the world to me.