Dear Little Man, Little Nugget, or Spence(r),

Your first birthday party just finished and you're currently on the floor crawling around with your Uncle Andrew, chasing after him. I can't believe that a year ago today, I got a text from your Grandma. I was in biology class, sitting and staring at the phone in anticipation. Your Mom had texted me the night before, saying that she was in labor and your Grandma had told me earlier that day that she would keep me posted on how you and Mom were doing. After getting the text that I had been waiting on, I hopped in my car with a group of others (your fan club, your groupies) and drove to the hospital. The car ride there was filled with laughter and joy and our smile grew even bigger when we met you.

This year has been long. It's been filled with laughter, crying and lots of baths. Your mom has done wonderfully, just like I knew she would. She's been through a lot, but she keeps on trucking through. Your first birthday makes me think of all of the fun things that you're going to enjoy through out your life. I am too excited to share those moments with you and I promise you I will be there.

I promise to embarrass you in front of your future girlfriend/wife.

Okay, let's be real here. I probably won't embarrass you too badly, but I will pull out baby pictures from today (your first birthday party). Your mom and I have it all figured out.

I cannot wait for prom.

Prom is one of the biggest deals in high school, at least for us girls. For guys, however, the process of asking someone to the dance and buying the flowers can be hard. You bet your mom and I will be there to help you every step of the way. We'll help you make the poster asking the lucky girl out. She and I will help figure out colors for the flowers. I honestly can't wait to be with your mom and be the "annoying aunt" that won't stop taking pictures.

I'm excited to be there for you.

Your mom will tell you that we were each others rocks in high school. We told (and still do tell) each other everything. I'm hoping we have the type of relationship as well. I'm excited (and hopeful) that you will feel comfortable enough to come to me with anything; whether it be something about school, your (future) girlfriend, or even your mom. I hope you know that I'll be here for you every step of the way.

Your 21st birthday will be fun. I promise.

I'll make sure to buy you your second drink. Mom, of course, will be buying you your first.

I'll be there at your wedding, cheering you on.

Hopefully, I won't have to provide a getaway car, but if needed, I will.

I promise to make your first kiss a big deal.

I don't know how it is for guys, but for girls, their first kiss is a big deal. You probably will try to brush it off as "not a big deal", but when your mom tells me about it, you bet I'll be bothering you about it all.

At the end of the day, I promise to be the best godmom that I am able to be.

You're my first godbaby and the first kid that I have some responsibility for. I don't know exactly what I'm doing or how I'm going to pull it off, but I promise that I will try my hardest to be what you and your mom/the rest of the family need me to be.

You're one of my family members and "my people" now. If there's anything that I've learned in my 19 years, it's that you take care of your family. I promise I will. I love you more than you'll ever know.