Dear Sophie,

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. I was so excited to have a new baby in the family. I had been begging for a little sister for as long as I could remember (I really was not into the whole youngest sibling thing). There was such an age gap between my sisters and I. They kind of just felt like bonus mothers, and I desperately wanted someone in the house that was closer to my age. We had taken a poll at the beginning of July to guess what day you would be born, and I guessed right. All I wanted was to hold you first, besides your parents of course.

I was just so excited you were finally here and that I was not the youngest anymore. What I didn't know at the time was that you were going to mean so much to me. You and I will never have a typical aunt and niece relationship, I will always look at you like a little sister. I know we argue and fight like sisters and we drive each other crazy sometimes but I want you to know how much you mean to me. I love you lots and even though sometimes I make you mad I really do not like it when we fight. I know I don't always show it but I think it is pretty cool that we have gotten to spend most of our lives living under the same roof. I have loved watching you grow into the sassy, smart, talented, and crazy little lady you have become. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I can't believe that tomorrow you will be 9 years old. Time has flown by and I have a hard time believing it has been that long since I held you in the hospital. With your special day coming up I have been doing a lot of reflection on the past and I have some promises I want to make you. I promise to always be here for you, no matter what. I hope that if there's anything you need that or you need advice on something you're scared to tell your mom, I hope you feel you can come to me.

I promise to always do fun things with you. I will always take you on "Auntie dates." I promise to take you to get your nails done sometimes even though you always chip them. I promise no matter how old you get, we can always have sleepovers and I'll always let you sleep in my bed when I come home from school for the weekend. I promise to spoil you sometimes like any aunt would but to keep your secrets like a big sister. I promise to always let you change the channel to Disney Channel. Lastly, I promise that no matter how much we fight, I love you more than you will ever know.

I feel that I have gotten the best of both worlds with you. I get the best parts of being a sister along with the best parts of being an aunt and I can't wait to watch you continue to grow. Thank you for making me and aunt Sophie Lee, and for always keeping life interesting.

Love always,

Auntie Han