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| My Niece |
When she was a baby I got to watch her and make her giggle. I have seen many episodes of Barney with that lil booty dancing in front of the TV to his songs. (Mine may have shaken a time or two with hers also).
Hanging upside down from the coffee table, swinging high on the playset, oreo drool, dragging her Elmo doll around, the monster chair at grandma's, races, cheesy grins, Odyssey One and Dollar Store trips together, playdates...
She was the subject of my pix for my high school photography class.
I'm not sure who cried more when I left for Africa...She had "jetlag" and cereal at 2am with me when I returned from Africa.
She made me a Valentine in school, so precious.
I moved to China not knowing when I would be back - that broke my heart. I got some awesome packages, letters, pictures and emails while I was there. I bragged about "my kiddo" to everyone there.
I am giggling and have tears in my eyes just from writing this.
Then this little girl somehow turned into a teenager, but still liked having me around so I let it happen.
Then she grew taller than me - not a huge feat, but a milestone none the less.
There were shopping trips and dresses and dances and boys and friends and birthdays and the day she outgrew the Dollar Store.
At her high school graduation I had flashbacks of her preschool graduation; how had that much time flown by?! This young lady was strutting the stage and getting her hard-earned diploma.
Smart and beautiful, kind and fun, full of adventure.
Very witty, she would have to explain some jokes to me.
She was into makeup and super good at it, so good I had her do mine a few times.
Then she turned in her sippy cup for a beer mug! Oh my, really? My baby niece was an ADULT!
Not long after this occured, I got engaged. I always knew that when she outgrew being my flower girl I wanted this amazing girl to be my Maid of Honor. So I asked and she was very willing to take up this role in my life. She threw me a wonderful and fun bachelorette party - it was so me!
And she stood by my side as I finally got my dream of being a wife! And she made the most amazing and sweet toast at the reception. Oh this little lady is my favorite for sure!
Here's to you meeting your someday to be cousins and being the "Aunty" to them. I know they will look up to you and admire the woman you are becoming and already are.
You fill my life with joy and my heart bursts with love and pride for you. I love you Princess.
