There was a time, in my adult life, when I wasn't a parent yet but I was an Aunt.
The lessons I learned during that period and all the years that have followed, watching my nieces grow while also raising my own children, have been invaluable.
And I couldn't thank my teachers enough.
One of those pint-sized instructors is now taller than me, take your breathe away beautiful and sixteen.
Sixteen.
Jensen, or Jensie as Autumn lovingly named her, is the youngest of my two nieces. Now, there is often an agreed upon notion when it comes to the second, third, fourth borns in a family, the thought that they may be or feel overshadowed by the older sibling.
The word overshadowed is not in Jensen's vocabulary.
Jensen has been stubborn from the start, knowing exactly what she wanted and not settling for less. She was born with lots of opinions, her own sense of style and a quick wit that I can appreciate. Thankfully, nothing has changed.
Did I mention that this itty-bitty newborn Steve and I drove from Tampa to Tallahassee, to hold for the first time, is now sixteen? Yeah. She's old enough to legally make that drive herself.
Patience, understanding, the act of nurturing and teaching another person, learning to go with the flow, and the feeling of true, unconditional, you are the coolest person in the room love, are just a few of the things Jensen has taught Steve and I. I know we are better parents to Autumn and Nate because of her.
I am also fully aware of the closest bathroom to the Tomorrowland Speedway in Walt Disney World because of her.
I haven't written in a while, haven't really felt inspired to, I guess. Waking up this morning and realizing that my tiniest teacher is now sixteen made me want to put a few thoughts down. Jensen inspired me just as she always has.
I know now that you're sixteen and driving, with friends and a job and a schedule busier than mine, that I am no longer the coolest person in the room. But what you don't know is that now you are.
I love you Jensen. Happy Birthday.
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