The Love of My Life

The title of this entry is misleading. Many people would comment about their husband as being "the love of my life", and Ryan is my husband and my one true love. But, the love of my life is much younger, she's only 8 years old. My niece Abby is "the love of my life".

On May 14, 2002 Abby was born into my family's life . She was my sister's first child, my first niece, and the first grandchild on both sides of the family. To say that she soon became the center of our universe is really putting it mildly. The first three weeks of her life I woke up early(waking up early during my summer vacation is very rare) and drove the hour long drive to my sister Whitney's apartment so I could take care of Abby as Whitney healed from her c-section and dealt with some post-partum anxiety issues.

Many mornings when I arrived in Lexington Abby was asleep. I would secretly wake her up, feed her a bottle, change her, and hold her for hours upon hours. We watched TV together, we would sit out on the deck together, we would have conversations(one-sided of course)about life, boys, the weather, etc. I was enthralled and enchanted with this child. I still am.

Over these past 8 years Abby has become my shadow, my first-child of sorts. We've had numerous sleep-overs where we've stayed up late, late into the night watching Disney Channel shows, eating cheetos, and singing and dancing. Yes, even I sing and dance in front of Abby. She certainly is way more talented in the music and dancing areas than me, and she makes sure to let me know it too. I have video tapes of her making music videos and she loves to record herself singing on my cell phone. Whenever I need a little pick-me-up I'll pull out one of her music videos or listen to one of her recorded songs. It warms my heart.

Over the past four years I've known that our sister-kinship will undergo a makeover. When my baby Ally gets here, things will never be the same. It's scary and so bittersweet. I yearn for my daughter, but I also feel such love for Abby too.

Last night Abby and I had a hotel sleep-over. Before we went to sleep Abby mentioned how on our next Girls' Night Out Ally will be with us. I can't wait!

Abby is so excited for her cousin Ally to get home. Abby will teach her so many things about life and "being cool". Ally is one lucky girl to have such a great cousin. And, I'm one super-duper lucky Aunt to have the best niece in the world!