This past Thanksgiving weekend, I finally got to meet my first new born niece, Aya Shireen Lawson.  It was a  moment I had been looking forward to since October 14 when I got a call from my mother saying my sister Daisy had her child.

The moment I saw Aya’s photos I knew I would love her unconditionally.  But seeing her and holding her in real life brought a flood of emotions that cannot be properly described.  I can’t imagine what parenthood makes you feel because becoming an uncle has changed me. I have new perspective with my family relationships, an unfamiliar feeling of adulthood when holding Aya, and a closer feeling of connectedness with my sister Daisy.

Daisy, I said this to you at home and I’ll say it again, I’m so proud of you.  You know I worry about you, but you’re such a natural mother that I don’t need to worry.  Aya is absolutely beautiful.  I have a short attention span but I had no problem gazing at her sleeping face for 2 hours straight.  Her soft features and chubby cheeks could captivate even the most callous man.  I grew up expecting to get married and have children but after meeting Aya, it was the first time I think I really knew I wanted to have children.  I love you and Aya dearly (warming up to Elton) and can’t wait until I get to see you both again.

View complete photo album here.