A Life Lived: That aunt swag

***cheesy, emotional post starting now***

I got some time off work this past weekend so I rushed home to spend some much needed time with my family… when I first became an aunt, I never imagined how much those little people would mean to me, but truthfully they are my favorite people in this entire world. There's no greater feeling than to hear tiny voices scream, "Tedi! Tedi's here!" as they run into my parent's house… nothing compares to their smiles and giggles and their thousand hugs and kisses.

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Here's a list of reasons as to why I love those tiny people:

1. I get to answer questions that I never imagined having to answer, like "Did you see my teddy bear jump off that table?" or "Can we watch Necklace (Netflix)?" or "Can you take me for a walk without the dogs?" or "Why can't I be a marshmallow instead of an ice cream cone?" They teach me how to be silly while being completely innocent… and while they are growing up and learning all about this world, they are teaching me how to be a lifelong member within the world of childhood.

2. There are no such things as quick goodbyes. The days of picking up the keys and walking out the door are long gone for my brother and sisters, their new normal consists of asking those little people to put on their shoes a hundred times, to gather their toys and to grab their coats… it means chasing them around, dealing with their cries of refusal and "I need 10 more minutes." It means once they have their shoes on and they're out the door and strapped into carseats, they'll probably have to go potty and the whole process starts all over again. When they leave me or my house, this process is no different… it just also includes a hug and a kiss, an "I'll miss you," and a "When are you coming back?" But it also means I get to respond "After while, crocodile," after a little voice says, "See you later, alligator." They make goodbyes so much harder and sweeter at the same exact time… but more importantly, they make coming home one of my favorite things.

3. Normal everyday things like putting on makeup and doing my hair consists of a learning process where a thousand more questions are asked, they marvel at simplicity and routine… and remind me how easily I take everything for granted. When I heard my recently potty trained three year old nephew proudly yell, "I washed my hands! I did it all by myself!" as he ran through the house this weekend, my heart melted. I've watched this little boy grow from a newborn child to this little guy who can now do things all by himself. Where did the time go? Their excitement is contagious. They are eager to learn. They love with their whole being. They wear their feelings on their sleeves. They are sassy and sweet, tough and bold, and full of energy… When they do something great, the beam with pride and want the whole world to know.

4. They want to do everything I do… which makes me want to do everything better. I've never considered myself a role model, ever… but when my niece giggles, "Papa said shit," I quickly realize that every word I say is being soaked up and they are learning, even when I don't pay attention. I know I'm not their parents, but I want to live better, do good, and be the best person I could ever be for them to imitate. My niece already told me, "I'm going to go to Mizzou just like you… and I'll live at your house with you and Macey." I have a duty to encourage future tigers, even if her concept of mizzou only consists of tigers, bounce houses, and pizza places. I want to be someone they can proudly call their aunt.

5. They are brutally honest. My six year old niece recently asked me how old I was… and when I said I was 23, she asked without even a stutter, "Why aren't you married?" I told her I needed to find someone to love me first and she said, "but I might get too old to be your flower girl by then…" Even she is aware of how painfully sad my love life is… and without fear, she shares her feelings. Through her honesty, she is learning and processing and asking questions, and even if those moments are awkward for people she's calling out, she is taking a stand for her place in the world. Those moments make me proud… especially when she giggles and says, "I'm happy you're not married because then you wouldn't play with me anymore."

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I never knew how much my heart could love until I became an aunt, but I pray I stay their "Aunt Tedi" for as long as possible. I pray I never get too old or too married to sit down and play with these little people… they make goodbyes terribly difficult, sweet weekends not long enough, and the life of homework and college much more depressing. My reality is hard when I live two hours away from them, so because Facebook can't even handle their adorable faces and antics, here's pictures from this weekend.