For several years now, I’ve been lucky enough to watch my friends’ children grow up. The first one arrived a little over four years ago, and several more have followed since then. I dare to believe that I’ll always have a special little place in their hearts. A place like that of an aunt, without being related by blood or marriage. Why? Because I have just as much love and attention to offer them as an aunt would.
Aunts play an important role in children’s lives. They’re there for birthdays and major life milestones, like graduating from preschool. I’ve always considered myself an aunt at heart, and I look forward to these events with great anticipation. I truly enjoy planning activities and little gifts for them.
The more they grow, the more they amaze me. I hope to build meaningful relationships with them and create bonds that will last for the rest of their lives. You come to love these little ones so deeply. You watch them grow right before your eyes and worry about them when difficult times or illnesses creep into their lives. You hope that life will be kind to them.
Even though I’m ready to give in to all their whims just to please them, I make it a point to set a good example. I also try not to waste the time I spend with them, and I’d love to see them more often. I want to be that loving aunt who’s there to comfort them when they’re sad and to celebrate their successes. And—why not?—the one they’ll be happy to come visit when I’m old.
And what if, just between us, we rewrote the definition of what an aunt is? Instead of being the father’s or mother’s sister, or the uncle’s or aunt’s wife, couldn’t she also be a friend of the mother’s or father’s? Because in addition to blood ties, there are bonds of the heart.