{e.three}: {my girlies}

I remember being young and my sister and I somehow being merged into one when it came to point of reference. "Where are the girls? Hey girls? Are the girls going?" Somewhere along the way we managed to conjure up our own separate identities, but it took a long while before I even realized that it had happened. Honestly, it may have only hit me after one day catching myself refer to my own little nieces in the same fashion...I guess we had unknowingly passed down the role.

The girls. That's who they are to me. My girlies. And these girls are the most captivating little things you could ever wrap your heart around. They are kind, thoughtful, witty, fun, smart, beautiful, loving....and that's just the beginning. I recently tried to explain to somebody the relationship that exists between an aunt and her siblings' children, and my words fell short. You simply just can't explain it. It's a love like none I have ever known, and it brings me more joy than I could ever deserve.

Those girls are growing fast. And will probably be acquiring their own unique identities and going separately into this world far sooner than I would prefer. But I'm excited for that time, as well. One reason being that they have quite a good role model to look up to. Her name is Lauren and they clearly do look up to her...you can tell with one simple glance at the pictures below. Lauren came to be my niece later in life, but I am thankful for her all the same. She is in her first year of college at Texas A&M and is making all of us very proud. Lauren came home this particular weekend and I couldn't help but want to capture the love between the three of them. And that's just what I did, a pretty easy thing to do.

I have quite possibly been blessed with the greatest nieces and nephews that will ever grace this earth...and you 'aunt' gonna convince me otherwise :) And yes, even they will roll their eyes at that one! But they will follow it up with a giggle and probably a hug. Because that's just the way they are.