Tomorrow my niece Arianna turns thirteen! First of all, when they say time flies, they weren’t kidding. I can’t believe she is going to be a teenager and going into 8th grade. She acts every bit like one too! She is sassy as hell, and her eye roll is on point. I pray my sister makes it through the teenage years. She’s got another equally as sassy one on deck.

It feels like just yesterday Arianna was born. I will never forget getting the call that my sister was headed to the hospital. I was so excited that I rushed right over. Arianna was the first grandchild and we had all been waiting a long nine months to meet her. Plus, we had no idea her gender. My sister refused to find out. Booooo!

At some point after I arrived I was told my sister had to have a c-section because Arianna’s heart rate had dropped. It wasn’t long before Frankie, in his full operating room gear, emerged wheeling our little bundle of joy. She was perfection. How could anyone not instantly fall in love?

I spent weeks hanging out with my sister and Frankie loving on Arianna as much as I possibly could. I promised myself, and Arianna, I would always be there for her. Over the years I have not missed much, and we are still very close. Although recently I have seen a change in her attitude, as can be expected, and am NOT loving it. I am hoping she soon realizes her auntie is someone she is going to want in her corner once those hormones REALLY kick in.

Watching my nieces grow up has been so great. At times though, my heart hurts for Ella. She has already missed so much of what they have experienced. We never got to see her walk across a stage at her pre-k graduation, or learn how to ride her bike. She won’t ever play t-ball or be part of a cute toddler dance recital. Her cousins are amazing with her, but they missed those early years of playing together and telling each other secrets.

Ella is on her own journey and the memories that we are making are ones that will last a lifetime. I know this. Just because they aren’t the same, doesn’t mean they aren’t just as wonderful. On those day when I am super sad that I can’t just say, let’s go shopping for new clothes, and walk around the store arguing over outfits, I sit and snuggle with my baby girl instead. She is happiest when she is loved, and there is no shortage of that in her life.

Today was a good day for Ella. Midday she got a little fussy and needed to rest, but overall she was happy. As I was driving over to my parents for an evening visit, all three kids were laughing hysterically in the car. CJ kept the littles going with his shenanigans until we arrived at my parents. My cheeks were hurting long after I got everyone out of the car. They will have no idea how much I needed that joy today. It fills me with hope for brighter days.

Ella may not have a best friend in kindergarten that she can hang out and have sleepovers with, but she has me until the end of time. I will forever be her best friend, and she mine.

Side thought: Birthdays always make me sappy. Why do people have to get older?

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