My sweet little niece,

Welcome to the world! You have only been here for a month now (well, short by one day), but already so much has happened.

Let me tell you, I have never been a big fan of pregnant women or babies. Everyone always gets so excited about infants, but I just never have been one of those people. Quite honestly, I was even nervous to meet you. There was this fear that I would not be excited to see you for the first time. I didn’t want to let your mom or dad down by not being thrilled to first meet you.

However, I think you, little one, have completely changed my perspective. You are so cute and small and sweet, and I just want to hold and snuggle you forever. You make funny faces when you wiggle around while napping. You have dimples that show through when you smile, and you usually only smile when you toot (which is really funny to me).

My dearest niece, you are so precious, and I do not mean that just because you are my little niece. I mean that because you are a child of God. You are so precious in His sight, and I can only hope and pray that you grow up to love and trust in Him.

It seems to be increasingly difficult to maintain and share one’s faith in today’s society when it also seems that the definition of faith is changing. Christianity has been molded into so many different sects with a plethora of guidelines that the world wants you to follow. I pray that you find the true God, and you find that His love is more than just a set of rules. It is grace and acceptance and unconditional. You, and everyone else who walks this planet, are worth so much more than the world tells you. You have been chosen by God, and are a joint-heir with Christ.

My dear niece, treat others with kindness and grace, be an unfading light, and believe in the promises of God. This world is tough and sometimes unkind, but it can be beautiful. I believe people are a beautiful part of this world, and you are a beautiful person in this world. I love you, little one, and am so excited to watch you grow and take on this world.

Love always,

Aunt Katelyn