Letter to Violet

Dearest Violet,
Welcome to the world, littlest. I am your Auntie Jenn and I will forever love and adore you. It is my solemn promise that as long as I am around you will always have cute hair accessories and red shoes. Because a girl needs those things, no matter what she does in life. And your life? Is going to be awesome. How do I know? Because I was there at the beginning, and I can tell about these things.
You were born on a perfect day, not too sunny, not too cloudy. A lovely warm breezy day, the kind that makes people want to move to California. The room you were born in had a view of Newport Harbor and the ocean beyond, and we watched the sailboats go by in between contractions. I wondered what adventures the people on those boats were having, what adventures you would have in your life.......
Your birth was one of the most memorable, magical, peaceful experiences I have ever had. Your mother and father were generous enough to let me be in the room with them for this moment of moments, and for that I will be forever grateful. I love your parents like they were my own family; in a way they are. They are the family I chose, and thus are more dear to me in some ways than my birth family. You are a part of that family now too, and I will always be yours to lean on and turn to when you need an ear or a hug or the face of someone who loves you no matter what. I am so glad your mother and father are who they are and that they are your parents. They are good people, as I am sure you will come to know. You also have a very sweet and gentle older brother who is probably going to be one of your very best friends. Be nice to him; he will be your biggest ally.
But back to the day you were born. Your mother was so calm and happy, it was hard to believe she was in labor. Birthing a child is a huge undertaking, something akin to running a marathon. It taxes a woman mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well as physically. For most women it is the most intense physical experience they will ever have. I can't imagine a more emotional experience either. All to say that giving birth is a momentous event, one that can easily become overwhelming.
Your mother was awe-inspiring. I have never seen her so strong and purposeful, so intensely beautiful in her concentration and determination. As your father held her hand and encouraged her she gave herself over to the process of labor and brought you into this world. What a moment! Suddenly there you were, pinking up right before our eyes, letting out that first delicious cry. We gobbled up every detail: your perfect fingernails, your long toes (monkey toes!), your surprisingly blond hair, your rosy mouth and delicate nose. You were perfect. You are perfect. You are you and from the moment your were born you have been loved. Always remember that. You are loved. The love you receive from us will not be perfect, as none of us are perfect. But we will love you the best way we know how. And we will love you forever.
I will love you forever.
Always,
Auntie Jenn