Well, we are 2 days away from a brand-new baby entering our family.  Our oldest daughter is set to deliver by cesarean on Wednesday and I can’t help but be so excited and anxious about his arrival (that’s right, it’s a boy)!  I’m not anxious in a nervous way, I am anxious in a “I can’t wait for you to meet your family” kind of way! The first, and probably the single most important thing I need you to know, is that you have been blessed with two of the most incredible people as your parents. Your mom and dad have been patiently waiting for a long time to add you to the brood and now you are almost here! But before you arrive, I want to tell you a little about who you will be meeting in a couple of days.

First- your mommy and daddy – they are pretty cool peeps if I do say so myself.  Your mom’s capacity to express unconditional love has and continues to amaze me through challenging times and times when it would be easier to give up, she never does.  She will never give up on you, that you can be sure of. She will be steady and guide you in ways that you won’t even recognize until you are grown and ready to guide your own family, she’s sneaky like that.  There are times when she is stubborn and hard-headed but bear with her, show her love because she will learn as much from you as you will learn from her.  What you learn through those times will help you as you grow older.  Your mom has a weak stomach and she hates touching chicken, and you better grow to like your kale, because she puts that sh&^ in everything (come to Aiya and Poppas, we will never feed you Kale).  Learn to like FRIENDS – because your mom has been obsessed with that show since she was in high school.  She can recite every episode, but you probably already know that don’t you? She likes things to be perfect seamless (she says she doesn’t but she kinda does). She might drive you crazy trying to get you to places on time. Be patient with her. She’s just trying to make your life easier, more organized, and…well, perfect seamless (I mean that in the most loving of ways). She can be hard – both on those she loves and others but mainly on herself.  Make sure you tell her when she’s being too hard and help her be kinder to herself, sometimes she may need a gentle reminder. She will love everyone that you love, even if she has reservations about them, if you love them, she will love them. She’ll make your enemies her enemies and will tell you what she would do to get past it, how to forgive them and how you should not waste time and energy on having enemies in the first place.

Your daddy – he loves your mommy so much.  He will teach you how to be a good man because he walks the walk. I hope you get his work ethic.  He will teach you how to paint a straight line, how to measure twice and cut once, to always put your family first, and how to put up with your in-laws someday. He will teach you how to make things with your own 2 hands.  He is talented, kind, funny and did I say that he loves your mommy? He’s going to teach you how to slay the big halibut and provide for your family.  He will show you how to treat a girl and how to show her respect, because that is how he treats your mom and sister. He is someone to look up to. Your dad will give you enough freedom to make mistakes of your own but will still be there to guide you. He’s not perfect, so don’t expect him to be, but he will be perfect for you. In a world where family has become something that has been pushed aside or changed altogether, having a dad who puts his family first is important and something that you shouldn’t take for granted. Your dad will lead by example – remember, if he can’t find the words, he will teach you what you need to know by showing you, so watch him.  He will teach you the value of keeping your word and fulfilling promises you make. You will learn to be careful about who you give your word to, this will make you a man of integrity like your dad.

Your mom and dad will show you what it means to compromise, how to argue fairly, the value of an apology, how much can be said with a hug, to be a responsible pet owner, how to be a good friend, and to always take care of your sister.

And then we have your Auntie – I want you to know that by having her, you will always have someone to talk to. You’ll always have someone to try to answer any questions you may have. You have someone you can trust and would never harm you. Even if you’re not right next to her, she will always be looking out for you.  She has had a lot of practice with little boys and knows how little boys act and think, she will always get you and what you are going through. There will be times that you think your mom doesn’t understand, auntie will. She will teach you to not let your life be about circumstance but to be strong and fierce. She will share your triumphs, your joy and your pain and she will be beside you all the way.

You won’t see your Uncle right away face to face, but he will be there sitting in class waiting patiently for us to let him know you are here!  You can rely on him to let you know how powerful you are.  He will remind you that you are capable of greatness and that you have full control over your own fate.  He will lead by showing you that the journey is to be embraced. He will show you how to be empathetic and strong in your convictions.  He will teach you how to speak your peace respectfully but powerfully but also to be sensitive and humble.  And above all else, if you have the chance to go out of your comfort zone, do it because he will tell you to grab a hold of your courage, and don’t ever lose it because sometimes life is too short.

Your big sister – Wow, I can not wait to see how you two bond over the years.  She’s only little now, but what I think you will see as you grow up together is that she will show you to not be afraid to take risks and to always be yourself, let your sparkle shine through. That’s how you will find the greatest reward. She will remind you to be to kind to others and to reach out to people when they need help. She will show you how to be considerate. With your big sister, you will know that you are loved and that you are safe.

As well as these people, you have me (Aiya) and Poppa who are over the moon about you and you will learn that Poppa is the yes Poppa and Aiya is the one who tries to keep the Yes Poppa in line!  You have another set of Nana and Gramps who can’t wait to meet you and introduce you to life on a farm plus another Auntie who will be one more strong and steady presence in your life. You have cousins and a load of more aunties and uncles, your love tank will be filled regularly and last but not least, you have a Great Nana that has been the most amazing grandma to countless children and who can teach you a thing or two about families and loving those who cross your path.  Through the years, you will see how much of an impact she has made on her own family, by watching how your mom, aunt and uncle and all your cousins stand for each other and lift each other up when the going gets tough.  She loves you with all of her heart and is so blessed to watch as you, her 11^th (?) great grandchild enters this world.

Little one, you have hit the family jackpot!  Your family will teach you to follow your heart, to dream like there aren’t any limits and to feel the unconditional love of the family around you. We promise to guide you through life in the best way we can. We will let you make your own way but will never be too far behind to catch you if you fall. We cannot wait to meet you.

Xoxo

Aiya