Lately, it seems like there is a “Day” for everything. Some are fun and silly, such as International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Arr!). Many are delicious – National Pizza Day and National Soup Day, and others are very specific, like Pluto Demoted Day (in my heart it will always be a planet). The list goes on.
But you know what? I’m here for it. I’ll take any excuse I can to bring a little joy to each day. After all, if we look hard enough, we can always find a reason to celebrate.
Today’s “Day” is especially near and dear to my heart. Today is National Aunt and Uncle Day.
This unofficial holiday is celebrated every year on July 26th. While it was a challenge to find a lot of information regarding its origins, what more reason do we need to set aside a day to celebrate this amazing set of relatives? Aunts and Uncles are our parents’ siblings, or for some, they are close family friends.
Whatever it is that connects them to us, aunts and uncles are providers of wisdom and advice, creators of fun and adventure, and an extra set of hands and hearts to help care for us. They know our history and have watched us grow.
I may be a bit biased, but my aunts and uncles are some of the best around. They helped shape my life when I was young and provided me with endless childhood memories (as well as incredible cousins who were more like built-in best friends). Now they are beloved and treasured parts of my adulthood, and there is nothing sweeter than seeing my own children love them as well.
This National Aunt and Uncle Day I am also celebrating the joy of being an aunt.
Becoming an aunt changed my life. The day my oldest niece was born was the day I knew that, more than anything, I wanted to be a mama someday.
My nieces and nephews are all incredible, unique individuals and I cherish my relationship with each one. It is a beautiful thing to see pieces of my siblings and their spouses in them. I am so thankful to be a part of their lives and watch them grow. It brings me more joy than I could have ever imagined, and I love watching them create the same special bonds with their cousins that I did with mine.
How can we celebrate?
If you have a special aunt or uncle that has made an impact on your life, celebrate them by spending time with them today, pick up the phone and give them a call, or send them a card or handwritten note (it’s time to bring back the lost art of letter writing!).
You can also get your kids involved:
- Go through photo albums and old pictures.
- Tell them stories about your aunts and uncles, or theirs! My daughter loves hearing stories about the past and will ask you to repeat them over and over.
- Create a family tree to help them understand familial relationships.
- Have them make a card or picture to give to an aunt, uncle, or another special person in their life.
However you choose to celebrate, I hope you find some joy today and every day.
Happy National Aunt and Uncle Day!
To my aunts and uncles, I am so thankful for all that you have done to make my life rich and full, and I love you more than you’ll ever know.
