Monday, July 26th is National Aunt and Uncle Day! These special people play such an important role in all of our lives. We celebrate all the aunts and uncles out there today!
One of the main reasons why we call the Twin Cities home is family close by. Our boys have been lucky to have their aunties and uncles be a big part of their lives. From hangouts as a big family to sleepovers at their houses, my boys adore and truly enjoy their company. We are lucky that their aunties and uncles have treated them like their own. Sometimes spoiled too much, but I know my boys appreciate it and I am now lucky enough to repay the spoiling right back as a new auntie to my niece and nephews.
[Photo Credit: Katie Jeanne Photography]
As the oldest in our families and the first to be married, my husband and I naturally ended up having our kids first. Now as we are calling it a wrap, our siblings are just starting to grow their little families. It’s been such a joy seeing the boys’ excitement of having new cousins join the family. For me, I’m excited to be an auntie! We’ve seen them watch our children grow and act as parents-in-training with the large roles they have played with their nephews. Their love and support has meant so much to us these past ten years and we’re excited to return the favor.
The past year has taught me to cherish the little moments and our relationships. We clearly see why family is such a priority for us. It taught our boys to not take things for granted and showed them how lucky they really are to have so much family nearby and in their lives. They went from seeing their aunties and uncles at least every week to missing their time together. My hope as things get back to normal is that the hangouts and sleepovers can continue. The time they have together is so precious and I want them to enjoy every moment.
With new nieces and nephews joining our little village, I can’t help but spoil as an auntie. That’s my right, isn’t it? The bond that can be created between auntie/uncle and niece/nephew is special. I would do anything for them as I would do for my own kids.
Aunties and uncles don’t always have to be family. My boys call our closest friends their aunties and uncles too. We may not be blood related but the relationships are just as close. As the boys got older, they asked why we call them auntie and uncle when they aren’t our “real” brothers and sisters. We call them that because of our relationships goes beyond just friends. These friends would be there for our boys if we needed them and we would do the same for their kids. Even though we are lucky to have great “real” aunties and uncles, we are also blessed to get to call so many of our close friends aunties and uncles too. Maybe it’s an Asian culture thing, maybe it isn’t, but I grew up calling many of my parents’ aunties and uncles and still do today.
[Photo Credit: Amanda Nippolt Photography]
I appreciate the bonds my boys have created with their aunties and uncles. I really hope those bonds continue to strengthen as my boys get older. That bond is different and special from their relationships with us as parents. From taking care of their nephews to spoiling their nephews, my boys knows each and every auntie and uncle in their lives love them and will support them no matter what. It makes me so happy to know they are so loved by all of them near and far.
Let’s celebrate all the people in our lives we are lucky to call auntie and uncle today. You deserve recognition for all the love and support you give to your nieces and nephews. I, for one, don’t know what I’d do without you all in our lives.
