CELEBRATE This Week LXXXV (85)
I’m glad you are here to celebrate! Share a link to your blog post below and/or use #celebratelu to share celebrations on Twitter. Check out the details here. Celebrate This Week goes live on Friday night around 10(ish). Consider it as a weekend celebration. Whenever it fits in your life, add your link. Please leave a little comment love for the person who links before you.
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I turned my Instagram account public. I’ve been using it to collect & document celebrations. I love it. Please follow me there: @ruth_ayres to find celebrations throughout the week.
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Not everybody gets to be an aunt. Long before I wanted to be a momma, I wanted to be the best aunt in the universe. I got to be an aunt to these two before I was even officially married into the family.
Their mommy let me be their aunt. It’s not something I take lightly. You have to be allowed to be involved in lives. Being an aunt soothed my soul when I didn’t get to be a momma.
At age two, they were the world’s cutest ring bearer and flower girl. (Andy and his sister, Abbie, are in the photo too…not that you really notice them for all the cuteness of Madison and Cole. Note the bag of Cheerios in Cole’s hand. Madison was more discreet with her flower girl basket full of Cheerios.)
Of course, the fun was just beginning.
A couple of blinks and a handful of ballgames and parties and holidays and recitals and suddenly they are all grown up, dressed in caps and gowns. You know it’s going to happen, but when it does, when it really happens, you can’t help but catch your breath by the sheer awe of it all.
One moment you’re there —
Then the next you’re here —
And I find myself completely overwhelmed by all of the emotions. No one ever told me that being the best aunt in the universe means they grow up faster than you expect and they’ll tower over you and then they go on to live these beautiful imperfect lives that just make you love them more.
No one ever told me that their hugs get better the older they get. They don’t just hug you just because you’re the best aunt in the universe, but because they love you back.
Cole and Maddie, your resilience amazes me.
Share your celebrations!
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I can see that you understand that the job of an aunt is not one to be taken lightly. :)) I also consider myself to be a “Favorite Auntie” and absolutely adore my niece and nephew. Such a special bond!
What a touching post. I love being an auntie. They do grow up in the blink of an eye.
This is so sweet. It made me tear up a bit. I am so hoping to be the best auntie ever to my nieces, but it is so hard being across the country from them. I love how you wrote that being an auntie “soothed your soul” when you didn't get to be a momma. I am trying to let my status as auntie do the same. I just wish they were closer.
Such a wonderful celebration of family. That last line captures so much! Loved the photographic journey!
Thank you Ruth!!! I don't have any children of my own, so the role of auntie is the most special that I hold!!! My nephew and niece hold my heart!!! They are 5 & 6 years old right now. I LOVE each and every moment we get to spend together. Thank you for sharing!!!
I was the first one in our family to have children, and my sister shares the honor of being the best aunt in the universe with you! Ha! Going through two graduations myself in the last month, I get being completely overwhelmed with emotion. But son helped my out at his: http://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/2015/06/yes-he-did.html
Have a great week!
Ruth, I enjoyed reading your post on being an Aunt, a distinguished title that I hold with my little cousins. I am their Aunt and my husband is the Guy. The only problem is that they live about 8 hours away and we don't get to see them like I would love to.
Whatever role you take on, you do with such heart. I'm not surprised that you are the most favorite aunt. You create a special bond with everyone who touches any facet of your life.
Time is such a mysterious thing. One blink and the kids you're so used to seeing are taller and older but you still see them the way you remember. I'm like that with my younger family members.
Your family is incredible!
Being an aunt is the best! Love these pictures!
85 weeks of celebrating with you! I love these pics of your sweet niece and nephew. And the one of them towering over their favorite aunt in their graduation gowns – priceless!
They look like fine young people – which is what happens when you are blessed with a family that loves you.
They look like fine young people – which is what happens when you are blessed with a family that loves you.
What a lovely celebration!