Tita Cesca
My nieces and nephews call me Tita Cesca.
‘Tita’ means Aunty in Filipino, and Cesca is a nickname that my family calls me, it’s always Ces or Cesca… so then it became Tita Cesca.
I have two older sisters and when I was 9 my eldest sister was pregnant with her first child, which is so crazy to think about now because I definitely didn’t think at age 9, I would have niece, but look how life turns out.
I’m one of three girls and there is a big age gap between us. Between me and my eldest sister, there are 18 years and between me and my middle sister, there are 8 years.
There’s a lot that you don’t quite understand at 9 years old, but I remember seeing my sister's belly and thinking how cool it was, and how everyone was rushing and excited to feel her belly every time the baby would kick.
There are so many things that I love about being an Aunty. I could go on and on but for now I’m just going to list a few:
Watching them grow up.
Right now, I have two nieces and two nephews, and I say right now just in case in a few years, the tribe expands with more. It's so amazing to see them as newborns and then you start to see them grow up into little people and develop their own personalities. They’re all so different, and it’s incredible to see the characteristics and traits that they have and that make them individually so special.
Spoiling them.
I love spoiling them. Just recently with Easter, I had a Lindt chocolate bunny and I love those. My dad buys me one every Easter. But, my youngest niece would always find it in my room and she’d say “chocolate bunny!”, and then before you know it, I’d be there sneaking her chocolate before dinner. Those moments I love. Seeing her face and her cheeky smile just makes my heart melt. It’s the best. Especially on their birthdays or when it’s Holiday season, I just want to give them everything; it’s so fun, and for me too because I love shopping, especially if I’m buying online. I’ll go ham.
Being that someone that they can rely on and come and talk to.
There are certain things that you go through while you’re an adolescent and when you’re a teenager, it’s awkward and weird, and there’s that whole thing of “not knowing who your true friends are” and having someone to talk to is really important. Although I have two older sisters and a lot of cousins, I didn’t really feel like I had someone to go to or talk to when I had something on my mind or if I just needed someone to hear me out, so when it comes to my niece and nephews, I want to be there; to listen, give advice if they ask for it and show up for them. I don’t want to miss anything.
…
As they’re growing up and getting older, so am I and having a good connection with them is really important to me. You start creating a bond when they’re just a baby and it’s really beautiful that as they get older you develop a deeper and impacting relationship. There are so many silly moments and like regardless of how corny or ridiculous your jokes are, they’ll always laugh and appreciate them. You’re pretty much having fun all the time. Don’t get me wrong there are moments where it gets sticky but it's all a learning experience and it's just another reminder that things don’t have to be perfect because there is no such thing as a perfect person.
Being an Aunt is so much fun, but I also see it as a responsibility. I want my nieces and nephews to know how loved and important they are. I feel part of my purpose is to set the best example that I can for them because I know they watch what I do and how I move throughout life.
I think becoming an aunt is a once in a lifetime experience, but because I was 9 years old when I first became one, I didn’t really understand the whole ‘once in a lifetime’ thing but now that I’m older I get it and I love it.
The role that I play as aunty is very special and I cherish every moment that I get to spend with my nieces and nephews. Becoming an aunty has changed my life and I only want to do my best and be the best that I can for them.