Last Monday, my biological family welcomed its newest and tiniest member. My brother and sister-in-law had their first kid, and I got my first nephew.

I am thrilled beyond words and proud enough to burst buttons. Being an uncle (even if I’m not officially allowed to call myself that) is pretty much my favourite thing ever. I’m still, a week and a half later, showing off his pictures whenever I get the chance. I want to knit all the baby things, and it’s killing me that I won’t get to meet this kid in person until he’s already over a month old.

I’ve been thinking and feeling a lot of things in the ten days since my nephew was born, mostly about family and where I fit and the fact that I’m frustrated that I’m not allowed to define myself in this situation, but that I love this kid to pieces and have since I found out he was coming and so I’m going along with being painted into boxes that I don’t fit because I want to be a part of his life and that matters more than me being able to breathe freely.

I want to give my nephew safe spaces in which he can be himself. I want to do everything I can to ensure that he is always surrounded by the love that surrounded him on the day that he first entered the world. I want him to know that he is special.

So here’s to you, little one. This game of life is not an easy one, but I am determined to make sure you have plenty of support along the way.