I’ll never forget the day I realized I was about to become a first-time aunt. Sure, I’d been called “aunt” by my friends’ kids or distant relatives, but nothing compared to the thrill of becoming an aunt to my own siblings’ children–at past forty (starting to worry a bit about my back here).
When my sister announced her pregnancy, an avalanche of emotions hit me: excitement, nervousness, anticipation… and maybe a little bit of fear for the new parents. She’d waited thirty-five years for this. And just when I thought I was settling in to the idea, my brother shared the news of his own. He’d waited forty years for his firstborn. The newness of the feelings returned—just as powerful.
The only catch? My sister lived overseas. We couldn’t all be there for the birth, which meant relying on photos, videos, and video calls to share those first precious moments. But despite the distance, the excitement never waned. As a first-time aunt, I was quite bummed that I could not hold my first niece in person.
A Roller Coaster of Anticipation
From that moment on, it felt like time froze. We counted the “peanut stage,” then the “avocado” milestone each week, tracking the little one’s growth so closely we could practically feel her moving inside. (Tip: a pregnancy milestone journal or bump-to-baby tracker makes the cutest keepsake—I wish I’d had one back then!)
The Distance Makes It Stranger
There was one hiccup: my sister lives overseas. So I couldn’t be there in person when my niece arrived. No hugs, no first glances—just photos, videos, and video calls that quickly became my lifeline.
If you’re a long-distance aunt too, trust me: invest in a digital photo frame that the parents can upload pictures to remotely—it’s the next best thing to being there in person.
Love at First Screen
Then came the day I met her… virtually. My mom sent the first photos, and I just melted. There she was—not quite tiny, perfect, and completely ours. In that moment, love, protectiveness, even a gentle responsibility stirred inside me. I was officially—and joyfully—her aunt.
Best-Aunt Campaign Fail
I was campaigning hard to be the best aunt. I was trying to be funny and bubbly, making faces, wearing funny glasses so that she’d notice and remember me even if she’d only seen me online. It backfired big time when instead of getting laughs, I would get scared cries whenever I showed up with funny faces during family video calls. That’s minus the points for the best-aunt campaign.
The funny glasses that caused the scared cries (but they did eventually drew some laughs, when her mood was all right).
What Being an Aunt Really Means
From then on, I dedicated myself to being seen and heard—every day. Thanks to her amazing parents who share countless photos and video calls, I’ve gotten to know her voice, her expressions… her essence.
Long-distance or not, a simple auntie journal (I call mine “Immortalizing Milestones”) helps me jot down little stories and quotes so I never forget them.
Meeting in Person… a Year Later
I finally met her in real life shortly after her first birthday. I helped host a belated party and introduced her to relatives–some she’d only met virtually, some she had not met at all.
For her party, I thought of being the extra aunt and prepared a simple grazing table. Sheesh! At one year old, she probably won’t remember that, but her mother’s got a good documentation of the party, labeled the photos well and tagged me. It’s also probably a good story to tell once she gets old enough to look back.
The Joy Lies in the Small Moments
Now at two years old, she’s become her own little personality—dancing, laughing, exploring. She loves food (who doesn’t?), splashing in water, and pulling silly faces that crack me up (seemingly returning the stuff I did to her).
If you’re shopping for a toddler niece or nephew, I highly recommend mess-free coloring books and bath toys—the kind that turn everyday chaos into giggles.
My Promise to Her
I want to be the aunt who’s always there—celebrating first words, first steps, first day of school. Always ready with love, a little silliness, and perhaps a surprise treat in my pocket.
Becoming a first-time aunt has unleashed in me a fierce love, endless patience, and a joy beyond anything I’ve known. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences of my life—and I can’t wait to share every adventure ahead.
Your Turn, Aunties!
Are you a first-time aunt too? Do you remember your own “baby whisperer fail” or your proudest auntie moment? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments! Share the funniest, sweetest, or even the messiest part of becoming an aunt—you never know, your story might inspire another “aunt without a clue.” 💕
(P.S. I’ll be putting together an Auntie Survival Kit Gift Guide soon—full of must-haves like journals, toddler toys, and long-distance aunt hacks. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!)
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