I was there when your mom announced her pregnancy. A bunch of us girls went to have some ice cream for celebration. We had so much fun mocking your dad over his choices of names, and we couldn’t wait to call you by one.

I was anxiously waiting at work when the call finally came. You had arrived at last!

I rushed to the hospital to see you after work. And there you were… so tiny, all swaddled up, wrinkly, and perfect. 😍

I signed up for babysitting duty right away, although I had never changed a diaper in my entire life before. But hey, so were your parents. If they could learn to do it, I could too! [Love powered up that optimism, you see 😊]

The first time I was left alone with you (for 45 minutes!), it was very eventful to say the least. Shall we call that the Overflowing Diaper incident? I think “Overflowing” is an understatement. I won’t delve into details, so we don’t gross out the aunties and uncles who happen to read this. But suffice to say, you and I were both in tears. 😭😭😭

I looked forward to my babysitting dates with you. You know all those cheesy things they use in dramas to illustrate people in love? I felt all of those at one point. From the way you looked at me though, I am confident my love was not unrequited!

I had fun feeding you. I had fun playing with you. I had fun seeing you dance. I was a little disappointed that you’re more into balls than books, but I can’t really fight genes, can I?

When you first called me “Auntie Whabbit!” in your cute little voice, I think my heart might have burst with pride. You still call me “Auntie Whabbit” to this day and I love it. When you took your first 10 steps without falling, I was working hard to hold back my tears. Because you know… your parents didn’t cry! I should not embarass them (or rather me) in front of everybody.

You make me feel all the feels. You made me do things I would never have done for anybody else, even myself. Learn the lyrics to nursery rhymes, watch the first 5 minutes of different movies in short period of time, pushing a stroller in a parking lot for 30+ minutes, eating in a restaurant while everyone stared at me because I seemingly had a 2 year old attached to my chest, and many many more. You didn’t remember most of what happened, but we love to laugh and giggle over the silliness of it.

Now, you’re all grown up. Taller than me. A young lady. When you texted me “Happy Birtday, Auntie Whabbit!”, I went “OMG, you have your own cellphone!” 😱 We rarely go on dates anymore. You are embarassed of public display of affection, so we can only enjoy a secret rendezvous with hugs once in a while.

I wonder what your future holds. I wonder what your future boyfriend would look like. I wonder if I’d get to see your wedding and your little one(s).

To the apple of my eyes, the 💙 of my life
Please grow up well and be healthy
that’s all I ever wish for.

Love Auntie Whabbit,
February 14, 2020