I always wanted to be an Auntie growing up. I have 5 Aunts of my own and they are all fantastic, inspiring me in my teens to take my youngest cousins around by the hand and play pretend. I was fascinated with them all – everything from my Aunt Irene’s famous chicken with pineapple to my Aunt Kathy’s life-changing trips to California have inspired my own life.

I now have 11 nieces and nephews (including two “honorary” nephews – sons of my best friend) who call ME Auntie. What a role to live up to and be grateful for. It is a title I cherish and take very seriously. They have made me much better at things like negotiation (extra rides on a golf cart), expression (dancing the robot), sharing (how to hand letter a sign for a lemonade stand), patience (building a sandcastle whose sole purpose is to be jumped on). Each of them makes my life so special in their own ways.

Being an Auntie is even more poignant for me as I am not able to have children of my own. Getting to be a part of their lives, seeing them grow and change and love is a wonderful gift from both them AND their parents, who let me share in the joy. When I marry in September they will ALL be there, bearing rings, scattering flowers, standing up with me and my husband-to-be. Along with our brothers, sisters, and friends, they will be there alongside us – a nod to how much we want them in our lives.

I love them all for being enthusiastic, smart, quiet, grounding, loving, fun, chatty and full of insight. Some jump off the deep end with no problem at all. Others are more “toe-in-the-water” first. Some dive right into conversation, others take a while to open up. Some have not yet learned to talk, others are texting. The one thing they have in common? Family.

- Andrea

P.S. Auntie’s Day is Sunday, July 25th. Are you an Auntie? Is there a special Auntie in your life? How will you celebrate?

(Okay, here are a ton of photos. I just couldn't leave ANYONE out!)