Whether you’re religious or not, I believe the importance in having Godparents. Not only as the failsafe of - God forbid - anything happens to your parents but so you’re given secondary, honorary parents. My Aunt Linda is that secondary parent.
She’s someone whose been there for the holidays, for the birthdays, for all of the special occasions. She always shows up to support me and my sister. Aunt Linda has been more of an aunt to my family than most of my blood relatives, a testament to her character and love for our family.
Like a traditional mom, she checks in on me all the time. Whether it be through text, phone call, or in person, Aunt Linda always wants to ensure that I’m doing ok. Similar to a mother, she’s always making sure I’m happy and wants the best for me. I always feel the love when I’m around her.
One of Aunt Linda’s defining attributes is her ability to have serious intellectual conversations, or engage in the surface level stuff with seamless transition. Aunt Linda is quite the intellectual, with an amazing background in law, so those conversations come naturally. But if you’re not in the mood to go deep, and want to keep it casual, she has no problem with that either. She handles that approach gracefully, and is happy to discuss any of your favorite topics.
An unfailing supporter, she’s always been proud of my successes whether they be big or small. Even when I consider my “successes,” failures, she doesn’t downplay them. It’s an outpouring of familial love that I can only do my best to reciprocate. She’s supported my relationship with Katie since the beginning, and even us one of our favorite gifts we received since we’ve been a couple: initial anagram towels. They’ve since become a staple in our house, to also remind me of what a wonderful godmother I have.
I’ve always felt like she’s a member of my family, because although our blood doesn’t run through each other’s veins, we’re truly connected emotionally and maybe even spiritually. She’s been a positive influence, supporter and most importantly, a wonderful godmother my entire life. I can’t help but appreciate everything she’s done for me. So thank you, Aunt Linda, for being the secondary mother in my life - one I didn’t know I wanted but am especially grateful that I have.