I wasn't really sure how I felt about becoming an aunt at 16. It just seemed like I was so young and that it wouldn't be as real or exciting as it would be when I was older. As soon as my niece was born, I knew how wrong I had been. Four years later, I'm an aunt to three incredible tiny humans. They have changed my world, and me, more than I ever knew. I'm sharing some of the lessons I have learned, and hoping you get to experience the joy of being an aunt one day.

1. You heart can hold so much more love than you ever knew.

2. There is happiness to be found in absolutely anything.

3. A smile is worth more than you can imagine. A laugh is even more.

4. Be goofy and don't care about what anyone else thinks.

5. Moms are saints. It's exhausting. Go moms!

6. You may not have been a hugger before (like me), but a hug can say "I love you" more than words.

7. No one wants to hear about your niece and nephew as much as you want to share about them.

8. But your best friend will love them just as much as you do.

9. There is no feeling or relationship in the world that replicates being an aunt.

10. Appreciate every minute with them because they grow so fast, especially when you're at college for weeks on end.

11. Always be positive in how you act and the words you speak.

12. The littlest things can make you cry out of love. Like seeing your niece on FaceTime saying "Auntie come home."

13. They will look up to you and your siblings and do what you do--be careful.

14. You will feel as protective as you always told yourself you wouldn't be as a parent.

15. There is nothing like childhood innocence and you want to shield them from the world as long as you can.

16. You will love them even when they won't hug you or they're biting you.

17. You may have lacked patience in the past, but now you have no choice but to be patient.

18. Life is unexpected, it's okay to figure it out as you go.

19. You'll grow closer to your siblings than you have ever been since childhood.

20. They will love you, no matter your mistakes or flaws. Not many other people will.