Exactly one week ago, I was pacing around the house trying to keep myself busy and unworried. I’ll never forget the smell of zucchini bread in the air and of fresh-cut lilies (that I carefully arranged and re-arranged in a vase a hundred different ways) on my hands as I went from room to room, making up things to do, waiting. I’ll never forget how unbearably hot and humid it was – so overpowering that the air conditioning struggled to keep up – and yet, how bright and beautiful the sun shone through the windows.

It was Saturday, August 4. I was supposed to be preparing our home for a baby shower to celebrate the upcoming September arrival of my newest niece or nephew that day. Instead, Zen had called me to let me know that the baby would be arriving that afternoon.

After a few restless hours of waiting for news, my mom messaged, “Girl!” And I could feel my heart bursting.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur as Jeremy and I raced down to meet our darling niece, the sweetest, tiniest “baby bird.” Healthy, precious, perfect. With my first look at her, a week’s worth of anxiety and worry and wondering was swept away and replaced with an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort and joy (and, let’s be honest, a good amount of tears, too.)

Being an aunt to Jeremy’s nieces and nephew has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I’m so excited to be able to experience this new journey of “aunt-hood” with my brother and sister-in-law’s adorable baby girl. The little lady who reminded us that life doesn’t always go as planned, but that it’s beautiful all the same. That we may not always be quite ready, or fully prepared for the next big chapter just yet, that there is never a “perfect time” – and if there is, it’s now. That the day can take a turn at any second, and that we just have to go with it, with courage and with heart.

I’m so proud of you, Zen and Jessie. I won’t say you’re going to be great parents, because you already are. You were long before she even arrived. The strength and grace with which you handled the pregnancy and birth, and this first week with her here on earth, is so admirable, and she is so fortunate to have you both. I have no doubt she’ll inherit all of your best traits, and make you so unbelievably proud. I’m excited to witness your next chapter as a mama and papa.

And baby girl, I cannot wait to shower you with all of the snuggles and kisses, start new traditions with you, hear about all of your hopes and dreams, and cheer you on in whatever you choose to do and whoever you choose to be. I’m so looking forward to hearing your first words, and watching you take your first steps – into toddlerhood, into your teenage years, into the rest of your life. I want to tell you all of the silly stories about your dad and I when we were your age (and about your grandma and grandpa, and your great-grandparents, too.) I hope, with all my might, that we’ll grow from aunt and niece into dear friends in time, and that you’ll always feel at home with me when you’re in need of a chat or a laugh (or a good vent or a cry.)

I’m so grateful you are here, and that I am lucky enough to watch you – and your personality, your curiosity, your creativity, your strength, your knowledge, and your dreams – grow. And though you already have such a big part of my heart, I hope you always know that my love for you will continue growing, right along with you.