Every family has a collection of stories they tell about each other. Sometimes the stories are funny, oftentimes they are embarrassing, but occasionally they are sweet and translate well from generation to generation.
My Aunt Jan tells the story of how when I was five, I told my two-year-old sister that she was coming to visit. But I set very clear boundaries about the relationship my sister could have with our aunt.
“She’s my Aunt Jan,” I said. “I will share her with you, but she’s mine.”
I was serious.
My Aunt Jan is by all accounts an amazing person.
She has a servant’s heart and a wicked sense of humor. She’ll give you the shirt off her back, the lipstick from her purse and the earrings from her drawer. She even carried dog bones in the trunk of her car for the longest time in case she came across strays. She’s an unbiased listener, a wise counselor and a fearless learner. She completely embodies the definition of the color purple.
Just don’t piss her off.
She’s an angel, but if you hurt her family, she will cut you. No lie. Ask the receipt checker at a certain Sam’s Club in Southeast Texas who was rude to my grandfather.
Anyway, when my son was a few weeks old, my aunt flew to Kansas City to be the first of my family to meet him. She cooked for me, ran errands, and took about eleventy billion photos.
I was in awe of how quickly she fell in love with my son.
Over the last year, she has made it a point to video chat with the Monkey on Saturday mornings. Because of those chats, he recognizes her face and voice, and they’re quite the adorable pair.
Sometimes she’ll show him toys she buys and keeps at her house. She’ll sing to him and chatter at him, but mostly she just watches as he tears around the living room upending everything in sight.
We’ve been counting down to her visit this weekend for months now, and when she got off the plane last night I was not surprised when my son went right to her, laid his head on her shoulder, and snuggled her until she was forced to put him down to claim her baggage.
He was thrilled to see her this morning when she came downstairs and shrieked like a banshee. My heart melted along with my eardrums.
After breakfast we all headed to the Weston Red Barn Farm – our third trip in as many years – which I guess makes it an official family tradition.
But first! First we had to finally flip the carseat forward facing. We’d originally wanted to leave it rear facing til at least 18 months, but my 27-lb, 33-inch toddler has been twisting his legs into a pretzel to fit for the last few weeks, so it was just time.
Also, he got his very own cup of juice at QuikTrip today. Holy crap, my kid is grown.
I was a little bummed because it’s been too warm and the leaves aren’t as vibrant as they usually are, but we still had a magical time at the farm.
We practiced our animal noises with the goats and pigs.
We climbed on haystacks.
We rode around on Daddy’s shoulders to get a better view of all the hot chicks visiting from the local kindergarten.
And Aunt Jan bought us our very. first. ever. PUMPKIN.
We were completely knackered by the time lunch rolled around and passed out during the ride home, but woke up with renewed energy, ransacked the house and wrestled with Aunt Jan until mean old Mama decided it was bedtime.
And when I was getting him ready for bed, I told him to give goodnight kisses to Aunt Jan, but couldn’t resist adding, “She’s my Aunt Jan, but I’ll share her with you.”
Mamamash 
This post is hands-down one of the best I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot of blog posts. What a wonderful family and such great memories you are building. Tell those hot kindergarten chicks to stay away from Monkey.
Thank you, Erica! I am so grateful to have such a wonderful person in my life.
I. Love. This! And I’m so happy you included all those pictures. Your child is gorgeous. Really! Truly! And YOUR Aunt Jan is awesome! Delicious post!
Thank you SO much, Sandra!
That boy is so adorable. I love his hair.
Aunt Jan comments a lot, right? She must love all the sex stories! Oy!
Have lots of fun during her visit.
She does! She was my first blog reader besides my husband. The sex stories crack her up, but she was warned beforehand that this blog is me, unfettered. I’m making her watch Bridesmaids with me tonight. Muahahahaha.
Great tribute for Aunt Jan! She sounds wonderful 🙂
Enjoy your visit!
It’s been such a fun weekend! Thanks!
—Aunt Jan ROOOOocks.
” knackered” Are you British Mama Mash?
x
Love the red haired kid!!!
No, not for several generations. 🙂 I just like that word.
And thanks! He’s so much fun.
This is such a perfect story, Julie! I’m so glad you…and Monkey…are getting to spend this time with Aunt Jan. I love the photos! Especially of Monkey on the haystack and of him making his animal noises. I hope the rest of Aunt Jan’s visit is as wonderful as this day was!
His animal noises are HILARIOUS. Mostly he makes monkey noises though.
We’ve had such a great visit!
Everyone needs an Aunt Jan in their lives – lucky you and lucky Monkey!
Isn’t he just a big boy now?
We are so very blessed to have her! He is SO big. Our boys are growing too fast.
That photo of him petting the goat made me laugh. With that expression on his face, I just can’t help but wonder what he was thinking!
He was braying like a donkey. We’re still working on the noises. 😉
First off…Sam no checking out other babes…yours says hello!!
Secondly…I love pauls…seriously woman you taking another picture face!
Hah, she keeps him on a short leash already huh? Poor Paul, he wasn’t feeling well but was a good sport.
Me??? Thoughts like that never enter my mind.
>.>
<.<
Riiiight. Nobody is buying that sir.
He he, I love the pic of your two men, the little one busy checking out the chicks and the big one, hmm, I wonder what he was thinking. ?? You know it, don’t you?
He was thinking, “At least it’s a Friday and I’m not missing football.”
Ha ha loved this post! Sounds like that Aunt Jan is quite a girl! Glad your son will grow up with such a great person in his life.
She’s a trip, I tell ya. I am so thankful to “share” her with him.
Oh Julie!
I teared up reading this.
Having a relationship with an aunt or grandparent or special person in your childhood is so important.
He looks so so happy and she looks like she’s thrilled to be visiting.
I want her to be my aunt.
They are a pretty tight pair. I’m loving it. I guess I could share her with you too…
We have an Aunt Jan but she is nowhere near as cool as yours … oops, did i say that out loud 😉
That’s not nice! LOL! But I have to say, my Aunt Jan is pretty much the cream of the crop.
That is so cool! Everyone needs an auntie like your Aunt Jan 🙂 Also? My kids use video calling to chat with my Mum when we can’t visit for a long time. Best. Invention. Ever. (After rum, that is.)
I completely agree. Rum and Skype are fantastic. But maybe not together.
What a precious story! I’ve known your Aunt Jan for many years and you have described her to a “T”! She is everything you said and more. I know you don’t remember me but I did meet you and your sister when you were very young. My how you have grown to be such a great mommy!
Hi Sandy! Sure I remember you. And getting hit in the head with a volleyball as a small child. 🙂 Thank you!
You are building great memories that will be around for a lifetime! Looks like everyone had a great time.
Every second has just been precious. 🙂
Your Aunt Jan sounds wonderful. I hope you guys have a wonderful visit with her.
It was just magical!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful post. Every one should have an Aunt Jan in their lives.
Thanks, Angela. I agree, it’s a relationship that everyone should have.
This was so sweet. It is so awesome when you have the generations like this that blend so well and love each other like your Aunt does your children. It’s so precious.
I’m thankful he has someone from that generation who takes the time to be with him!
Aw…awesome pictures! So glad you decided to share your Aunt Jan. The pic of y’all doing animal noises is hilarious.
We’re so dorky! I’m glad Aunt Jan loves us both.
What a sweet post! Everyone needs an Aunt Jan in their life (not yours, I know the rules!). It’s so great that you’re getting to spend time with her. Looks like you’ve been having a great time!
I think my Aunt Jan would LOVE you, Kim. I’ll totally share her with you, because you seem like a great person.
You are very blessed to have this relationship with her. Lovely story! And cute pictures too.
I know! Thankful every time I see her. And thanks!
This post makes me very sad but in a good way.
I’m so happy that your son has Aunt Jan.
Don’t be sad! Oh man, though…you should have seen how sad I was after I dropped her off at the airport yesterday.
I love how much Monkey loves her. That’s so amazing. Everyone needs an Aunt Jan.
I am thrilled at how close they are becoming!
This post is perfection. The last line gave me goosebumps. I want an Aunt Jan (but I’m not about to try to steal her from you!).
This was a very sweet blog! But I do need to add that she is my aunt jan! You were just the practice run. Lol. I look like her. Therfore she’s mine. I am happy to share with sam. He looks like me and her so he can enjoy my aunt jan as much as he wants. Lol.
Such a perfect post about Your Aunt Jan!! I love the way you describe her, she’s everything and more!