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An open letter to my niece, Aly
By adriana_acosta in To venus and back
July 20, 2011

NOTE: I wrote this the day my niece was born. I sure hope she does not think this is cheesy when she reads it 10 years from now. :)

You came into this world last month. You gave us no warning, you just decided to get here as fast as you could and not on schedule. (So unlike me if you ask me)

When I heard of your early arrival, I prayed as hard as I could that you would be OK.

And now you are here.

My brother’s baby girl.

I rushed to see you, and when I held you in my arms for the first time, I was afraid. You are precious cargo.

I am just so happy that you have chosen my brother and Jan to bring you into this world. They are amazing parents! I have proof with your older brother Caleb. He is one smart 3-year-old.

I know I am just your aunt, but the love I have for you already is unlike any I have known before. Is this how it feels to love someone you just met?

And as one of your aunts, I hope to be able to spoil you in so many ways, just like I have with your older brother Caleb.

He can tell you later when you are older, I give great gifts!

I can’t wait to go to your first birthday party. I can’t wait to hear your first words, see you take your first steps, and I cannot wait to hear your first big laugh.

Now let’s be clear with one thing. I will leave all the parenting to your father and your mother, after all I have never been a parent before, so I am sure you are in the right hands. They will teach you, educate you and show you right from wrong.

So with that said, here are a few things I hope, as an aunt I will offer you.

Your personal photographer for life:

By default this is true. I am a journalist. I am a firm believer that every family in America should have a historian. Sometimes I may get a little annoying with the camera and you will wonder why is Tia behind that lens so much? But trust me, you will get used to it and you will thank me 20 years from now.

Love, gifts, advice: Those three are a major requirement in being an aunt. That’s a default setting in every one who is an aunt or uncle. The love part is automatic, and kicked in the minute I held you in my arms.

The gifts, even though you still don’t know, have already started kicking in. I started with clothes, we can talk about the cooler gifts later when you get older.

All the advise about life will come from your parents of course, but I will be there to provide additional advise that will help you in life.

Let’s say you are trying to pick a major (journalism, I hope) and you want to decide what school to attend? (St. Edward’s University, Go Hilltoppers!) I can help you make that decision.

I know that I am just your aunt, but just like your big brother, I feel a big responsibility to be a part of your life.

My hope is that in the future, you will know how much we all loved and cared about you from the start.

So welcome to the Acosta family!