Birthday Girls!

June is a busy month for me since I share the birthday month with Erin and Crystal. All of us have birthdays at the end of June, though those birthdays are important to me, two special girls keep me busy with birthday surprises. I have two very distinct but special relationships with my nieces, N and C.

My sister and I were not friends growing up or as adults, but when N was born, our lives drastically changed. My sister and I suddenly both found ourselves single and her raising a 6 month old. We became Oscar and Felix and lived together as the odd couple raising N. I had the joy of being involved in all the big events in N's life and playing pseudo-secondary-mommy as well as aunt for 2 years off and on. Though N is in her pre-teens now, I still view her as the curly mop headed child who used her fries to eat ketchup, who bounced to Mambo Number Five, who used to chase the ducks. Well, you get the point.

C was born 3 months before I moved up north and only sees me every 6 months. She's terrified of me every time she sees me though she recognizes me from photos. We have a unique relationship in the fact that I was one of the birthing coaches on the day she was born. Watching a child come into this world is a moving experience that I was glad to share with my sis. I shared C's first night in this world, staying in the hospital with my sis to help her with the baby. Once again, I got to experience another aspect of motherhood with another beautiful niece.

Both of these girls have greatly affected me and brought such joy into my life. My relationship with both is uniquely different creating a special place in my heart for them. I'm glad I get to enjoy June birthdays with them! Happy Birthday!!!

(out of respect for my sis, I have not mentioned my niece's names)