Our kids call all of our friends' by their name, but use the term "auntie" or "uncle" ahead of it. Now, they aren't true aunts or uncles by blood, but they are as close to my children as any of their real aunts and uncles are - sometimes closer, as we spend lots of time with our friends!
In return, I am an Auntie Jenni to many, as so many of our friends have children. Not really sure who/why/how we started this, but we are all like family and it just kinda stuck!
One of the things I remember growing up was how cool it was to go with my Aunt Heidi (real, my mom's sister), just her and I, and she would buy my swimsuit every year! It was our special thing. Our girl time that we got to spend together, just the two of us! I loved and cherished every second of that! So Auntie Heidi (who also showed me how to make those fantastic cookies) if you are reading, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for just me. I know I have said it before, but it really was special and I thought you were the coolest. Thank you!
Ok, I got a little sidetracked I know, but I swear I am going somewhere with the story and the whole Aunt thing! One of my "nieces" is very special to me. Her name is Amaya and she is the best helper, (she does things just because and will always ask you if you need help) an all around great kid and as sweet as can be! Well, I started thinking about those that made an impact on me while I was growing up and at an impressionable age (I had many strong, beautiful, wonderful, positive influences in my life ~ yes, I was blessed) and I thought that maybe I could be that for Amaya. So, I made a hair appointment for her (after she expressed a little concern that her mom got a hold of the scissors and that she didn't really like the way it turned out) and planned a few surprises to make her feel special! Based on the permanent smile she had the entire time I was with her, I would say it was a great night! One I hope she will remember for a long time and look forward to doing again in the future!
The only thing she thought she was meeting up with me for was her haircut. When she sat down, I had a little package for her, but told her that she couldn't have it until her hair was all done (it was a new dress, we were going to take pictures of her when she was all finished)! She was so excited during her haircut and she really just smiled through the whole thing!
When she finished with her hair, she went and put on her dress and then I took her to get her nails and toes painted! She wanted bright colors to match the bottom of the dress!
One of the things I remember growing up was how cool it was to go with my Aunt Heidi (real, my mom's sister), just her and I, and she would buy my swimsuit every year! It was our special thing. Our girl time that we got to spend together, just the two of us! I loved and cherished every second of that! So Auntie Heidi (who also showed me how to make those fantastic cookies) if you are reading, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for just me. I know I have said it before, but it really was special and I thought you were the coolest. Thank you!
Ok, I got a little sidetracked I know, but I swear I am going somewhere with the story and the whole Aunt thing! One of my "nieces" is very special to me. Her name is Amaya and she is the best helper, (she does things just because and will always ask you if you need help) an all around great kid and as sweet as can be! Well, I started thinking about those that made an impact on me while I was growing up and at an impressionable age (I had many strong, beautiful, wonderful, positive influences in my life ~ yes, I was blessed) and I thought that maybe I could be that for Amaya. So, I made a hair appointment for her (after she expressed a little concern that her mom got a hold of the scissors and that she didn't really like the way it turned out) and planned a few surprises to make her feel special! Based on the permanent smile she had the entire time I was with her, I would say it was a great night! One I hope she will remember for a long time and look forward to doing again in the future!
The only thing she thought she was meeting up with me for was her haircut. When she sat down, I had a little package for her, but told her that she couldn't have it until her hair was all done (it was a new dress, we were going to take pictures of her when she was all finished)! She was so excited during her haircut and she really just smiled through the whole thing!When she finished with her hair, she went and put on her dress and then I took her to get her nails and toes painted! She wanted bright colors to match the bottom of the dress!
After her hair and her nails/toes, I took her to my favorite spot to snap a few photos of just her! She was the perfect model and looked beautiful with her new haircut!
I guess I am in a black/white mood - LOVING how these turned out!
Isn't she just beautiful?!
I had a great time with you Amaya! I hope that we will have many more days like this to come! I think that you are one of the smartest and most beautiful little ladies that I know and I am proud that I have moved from "auntie" to "like a mom" status to you! Love you lots!
PS- Do/did any of you have special "aunties" in your life now or growing up that made impression on you? I would LOVE to hear about them!
8 comments:
Jenni, you are sweet too for doing this (I had know idea). You are a great Auntie, Mama, and friend! Amaya will remember this day forever, I'm sure of it. She is such a beautiful little lady and what a great idea/day together.
I LOVE all the pictures, from the mini photo shoot, after her day of beauty! Her hair turned out way cute. Gotta love Miss Zonya!!!
What a special day for her... She looks so beautiful, love the pics you took. I am sure she will never forget this day :)
I have an aunt that is "like a mom" to me. Growing up I spent most of my summers at her house and I am still very close to her. She was actually my Matron of Honor at my wedding.
Thank you for sharing this with us :) Have a lovely Saturday...
Such an awesome day for her! Her hair cut is super cute, and I'm a BIG fan of the black & white shots....even if she didn't get to show off the BRIGHT nail colors!
Jenni, you are the best "auntie". What a special day together- one I am sure Amaya will cherish forever. That last picture in the B&W collage is my favorite one- so beautiful!
I was truly blessed as a little girl. My auntie (real one- mom's big sister) took us back to school shopping every year and let us pick out a special "1st day" outfit. It was so wonderful to spend a girls day with her. She would take us to the movies afterwards & buy the biggest popcorn and....that's it, I want to be a kid again. xo
very very sweet of u!! her hair and pics turned out fabulous!! ur such a caring, generous person!! that was such a thoughtful thing for u to do for ur special niece :) .....her pics are so stylin in black and white i lv them!
i only had one aunt growing up.....Ricky's momma....i LOVED her so much and would love goin to her house for breakfast when i was little and lived with my granny.....she lost her battle with breast cancer when i was in 6th grade and i miss her still....RIP Ruby Smith....xo
Oh my she looks beautiful, Zonya did a great job! And the pictures are beautiful!
Your post totally made me cry! My "like a sister" was named Clarisa, she was in my parents youth group growing up and had some hard times with her family. So she basically moved in to help when my sister got sick. She was in her early 20's when I was 8 or so. She is so special to me she drove over 20 hours to come to my wedding and then stayed to help set everything up and take things down. She means the world to me, I miss her greatly because she lives so far now.
Thanks for the post friend
Ang
You are so sweet Jenni! And Amaya is a beautiful girl! (And I LOVE her name!)
That is so sweet! What a great treat and the pictures were a perfect way to capture the moment.
Back in the day when I was single I borrowed my neice from my sister for the weekend and did a Cali trip to Disneyland. I might have to steal her away again and do a girls day.
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