About a month ago I attended my nephew’s pre-school graduation. I distinctly remember the night before spending several hours looking at photos of him as an infant and toddler, then getting misty-eyed! Where did the last four years go? On this upcoming Auntie’s Day on July 27, I not only celebrate the gift of being an auntie, but also my 34th birthday. Depending on the social circle I’m around, thirty-four can mean a lot of things. With some, they wonder why I’m not married with kids, while to others, I’m perfectly “normal” and there’s no rush.
 
Regardless, I’ve come to a point in my life where I’ve stopped caring what I’m supposed to be doing in other people’s eyes but doing exactly what I want to be doing – like being the best aunt ever! I don’t mean raiding the toy store and developing a relationship based on “stuff,” although I do enjoy surprising them with a present now and then. Becoming an auntie taught me what true love is. I’m not talking about romantic love either. I’m talking about “the world stops if they’re hurt” kind of love. The kind of love where my entire day shifts when I hear my nephews have a cold or fever. The kind of love when you are happily up at 9:00 AM on a Saturday morning setting up your nephew’s birthday party in a muddy area of Central Park. The kind of love where you’re scrambling to make sure that Valentine’s Day and Halloween card full of sticker sheets is in the mail on time because you know how much they love getting their own mail.
 
My aunthood is not everyone else’s. I am fortunate to have a great relationship with both my older sister and her husband who live just a subway ride away and we see each other at least twice a month. While I’ve always admired them for their careers and level-headedness, they are role models as parents should I ever start a family. My admiration has grown so much by watching them raise my nephews into happy, running and screaming (I mean, spirited, ha-ha) boys!
 
I’m lucky enough to feel appreciated all the time, or maybe that’s just a function of mindset. It’s the small gestures that go the longest way. When I see Facetime start blinking on my phone, I know it’s one of my nephews. The fact that I even have a relationship with them is what I value. So, this Auntie’s Day I’m going to pay it forward and give a priceless gift to my sister and brother-in-law who have blessed me with two gorgeous little boys to obsess over -- a free night of babysitting! Cheers to all the Auntie’s out there!
 
Here are five fun ways to celebrate Auntie’s Day (whether you live near or far from your nieces or nephews):

- Have a Skype or Facetime session
- Give your siblings a day or night off and offer up some babysitting
- Hand write them a letter or card and send it in the mail
- Send them your favorite children’s books
- Just be present and check in – isn’t that what being family is all about?

Christina Soriano is an artist, art teacher and blogger in New York City. Her nephews, Simon and Benny, are the most adorable boys in Manhattan! For more information visit www.christinasoriano.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @sorianodesigns

Photo: lightfalling via Flickr cc
Published: June 30, 2014