Reflections of...

Today is my nephew's 9th birthday. And it just may be the day the Blaire officially becomes an auntie. There's something poetic about that.

I can't believe it's been 9 years since he was born. It doesn't seem that long ago, but when I look back at it, I was still living in the dorms. I couldn't buy beer without pretending to be my sister. I didn't have any idea what life would be like if I wasn't in school. (Wait, that's not so different.)

Becoming an auntie was very important to me. I was thrilled. And I have been excited for every subsequent kid that my brothers have had. They are all amazing, and I would do anything for them, and it's fascinating to watch them turn from infants into young people with opinions and dreams of their own. (Ok, they're still pretty young so those dreams so far are things like becoming princesses or getting rocket launchers from Santa, but still. The things they come up with on their own...)

He doesn't know this, but the oldest one? Gave me the best compliment of my life when he was 4. My sister was over there, and one of his toys had a piece fall off, so he asked her to fix it. As she was doing it, he asked her if she was good at fixing things, and she said yes. He said, "You're good at fixing things, and Rachel is good at making me laugh and feel better."

He got my card, and the Borders gift card I sent him on Monday. He left me the best voicemail ever- he keeps saying, "That's all I have to say...ummm...I miss you! Umm....I had school today... um, I don't know what I'm going to buy at Borders...ummm" and it goes on and on and on. It makes me sad that they live far away. When I'm rich and have my own plane to fly me wherever I want to go, I'll see them more often. I swear.

Oh crap. As I was typing, Marisa just called. I didn't realize she was already in Chicago. My plans to go home, work out, watch Lost and pass out may have just been compromised. Lock up your liquor cabinets, people!

Your song of the day: Foundations by Kate Nash. Just because it's stuck in my head and I love it.