When I received that text message from my sister telling me that I was going to be an aunt in just nine short months, my heart dropped. I have always loved children and babies, and I was so excited that my family was finally getting one of our own. (I was the youngest in my family for 18 years, so yes I was thrilled). When my sister finally revealed that she was having a girl, I started daydreaming about the day that I would first lay my eyes on my breath-taking little niece, and I made future plans of us going on crazy adventures, teaching her life lessons, and being the perfect role model for my perfect little niece.

When the day finally arrived, I was even more in love with her than I ever thought I would be. She is now 2 years old, and let's just say that these have been the best two years of my life and here is why.

I get to be a little kid again.

Who doesn’t love to play their favorite childhood games every once in a while? And the perfect time to do it is with your niece or nephew. You get to share the joy and laughter with that darling little child all while having fun and reminiscing on the memories you have of being that little. It brings you back to reality and helps you realize that moments like that should be cherished forever.

I get to learn what it will be like with my own children.

I watch my sister teach her daughter right and wrong, and I learn ways to do it and how effective they are. I pretty much get to practice, and I will be prepared for that “3 a.m. because I want my mommy” crying.

I have a lifetime best friend.

There is nobody else in this world who is more loyal to me than my niece. She always wants to sit and talk with me, play dress up, and take naps with me. She never blows me off for someone else (until her grandmother shows up) or is too busy for me. What more could you ask for out of a best friend??

I get to teach life lessons and show her what really matters in life

Now I know that I do not really do this that much right now because she is only 2, but one day when the time comes, and she is upset about whatever could be going wrong in her life, I will be able to comfort her and help her figure it out. I will be able to teach her how to trust in God, and believe in him. I will be able to share my stories and show her that it will all work out in the end.

I know what unconditional love feels like.

Everyone tells me that it will be different with your own child, but I see my niece just like my own child. I would lay down my life for that little girl, and I would walk to the end of the Earth if it meant that I could make her life better. She is the most precious thing to me, and I would never trade that unconditional love for anything in this world.

Sometimes I lay down at night and I think about how privileged I am to share this life experience. I never fully understood what pure joy was until I got to sit down with my niece and hear her wonderful silly little girl laugh. It can turn anyone’s life around, and I know that it did mine. I will forever be grateful to have been given this opportunity to share my life with my niece, and I am looking forward to sharing it with my future nieces and nephews.