Dear Liam,

Today is your first birthday! You have been on this planet for 365 days and in that short time, you have impacted the lives of so many different people. It is a bizarre feeling to love a person before you even know him or her, but I did. As soon as I saw your mom’s belly swelling and knew that you were really in there, I loved you. The love that I have for you has only grown as I have gotten to know you more. Your squeals, laughs, gurgles, and even cries are sounds that I cherish, and will hold onto forever. 

My favorite memory with you so far is from a week that I spent with you at the beach in March of 2012. One morning I woke up early so I could watch you to let your mom and dad sleep in. I fed you a bottle and then we sat in a rocking chair on the porch and watched the breeze blow through the palm trees. Being only 9 months old, I thought that after 5 or 10 minutes of rocking you would grow bored and want to explore the porch, you didn’t really like to be restrained. That morning though, you sat on my lap for an hour as I sang you every nursery rhyme that I knew. When I ran out of nursery rhymes I sang you Lady GaGa and Rihanna songs. I assure you singing is not one of my best qualities, but you didn’t care. When I stopped singing you looked up at me with your big blue eyes and gave me a look that said “hey, why did you stop??” That hour on the porch with you is one of my favorite memories to date!

It’s funny how a little boy who can’t even speak yet can steal the hearts of so many people. You are such a light in this world, in my world. 

Happy birthday little Liam, thank you for allowing me to experience a love that I have never felt before. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life making sure you know how special and cherished you are. I don’t care what you decide to be, who you love, or where you go, I will support you always.  

Love Always,
Aunt CoCo 

“Only an aunt can give hugs like a mother, keep secrets like a sister and share love like a friend.”