Bubba:
It’s hard to believe that this week you’ll be turning 30.
I so vividly remember being there the day you were born, watching as my momma silently encouraged your daddy to take your momma’s hand as she endured the labor pains to get you here. After my momma and I were kicked out of the hospital room, I listened outside the door as your momma screamed in pain, eagerly awaiting your arrival. Then, after months of anticipation, you were here, and my world forever changed.
You were the first little girl to completely own my heart.Even though I was away in college or living in New York for much of yourchildhood, we have always been close. It has been my joy to watch you grow and change and to spoil you every chance I get. We’ve shared secrets and laughs, and somewhere on the journey to you becoming an adult, we’ve become friends. I respect your opinion, and I love that you respect mine. It has been such a blessing to me to see you go from this little girl asking me to give you a bath and telling me you love me to watching you dote on my sweet girl. To see the bond the two of you have warms my heart every single time. She is as crazy about you as I am, and I love it.
I sometimes think about how different my life was when I was your age. By the time I was 30, I had lost both of my parents, and in many ways, I was trying to navigate the world on my own. I’m so thankful my story isn’t yours. You have such an awesome support system in your husband, parents, brother, sister-in-law and extended family. I didn’t realize the value of those relationships when I was your age. I urge you to continue to treasure them, as well as your relationship with God.
I am so thankful for you and the blessing you are and continue to be to my life. I thank God for you and for your wanting me to be a part of your life. Words can’t express how much I love you, how proud I am of you and the woman, wife and mother you’ve become. As you enter year 30, I pray that you will continue to know that you are loved, that life will bring you every ounce of goodness it has to offer and that you will always, always know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am here for you.
Happy 30th Birthday, Bubba. I love you more than words can say.
Aunt Sham
