you were weeks early
for our first birthday party
almost 8.5 years ago

the one i crashed by telling
the nurses that we were family
(we are, just not by blood)

the one where i cradled you
one-armed, because i could
(even though i was nervous)

the one where i had to have
promised to be a good auntie
(i’ll keep it even if i didn’t)

so it’s okay that we’re a little
late celebrating mine this year
it all evens out in the end