As she slowly opens the small box containing a baby bottle and pacifier, she is overwhelmed with a sense of excitement as well as confusion.
She removes the baby blanket that reveals a positive pregnancy test resting at the bottom of the box.
Tears start flooding her eyes as she jumps up to hug her brother and his girlfriend, realizing she is now, and forever will be, an aunt.
Three years ago, East senior, Kierstin Flynn, became an aunt to her niece Rosalie Flynn.
“I was really excited because I had been begging him [her brother] to have a kid for years,” said Flynn. “I couldn’t wait to have a mini best friend by my side.”
Rosalie being Flynn’s niece is something Flynn makes a part of her daily life. Everyone knows Rosalie’s importance to Flynn.
Rosalie was born March 9, 2021 and since then has been a permanent part of Flynns’ life. Establishing that permanence, was when she decided to dedicate a tattoo to Rosalie.
When Flynn turned 16 she got a tattoo on her forearm of a violet symbolizing Rosalie’s middle name, Violet Skye. Her brother and Rosalie’s dad, Kevin Flynn, is a tattoo artist who did her tattoo for free.
Although Flynn mentions it is hard to keep up with her sometimes, she would not change their relationship for the world.
Becoming an aunt at a young age is not a very common experience and can be difficult for some people, but Flynn tends to view it as more of a learning experience for her future.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and I can’t wait to have kids,” said Flynn. “Sometimes it feels like Rosalie is my kid.”
No matter if it is babysitting, playing on the trampoline, watching movies, or just going for a morning Dunkin’ runs, Flynn is always by her niece’s side.
Flynn looks forward to every Friday when Rosalie comes over to her house for a sleepover.
As she progresses throughout her life, Flynn knows that, within the next few years, she will not be able to see Rosalie as much as she does now, but her tattoo will remain as a reminder of her little best friend back at home.
“The change and move away from her is something I don’t even want to think about, but I know I can always look down and be reminded of my mini me,” said Flynn.
