Spencer Weddle, Staff Writer

This is time of year where most people sit down sip on a Pumpkin Spice Latte, and reflect on what they’re thankful for. There are several things I’m thankful for family, friends, health, the fact Here Comes Honey Boo Boo has been cancelled (You know, the usual stuff). Upon thinking deeper into the things though I can think of a something in particular that I’m thankful for.

Not really a thing, more of person. Specifically, a special little lady. Her name is Kaylee Grace Andrews, and she is my five year old niece.

Before I get into this, let me put this disclaimer for my sister. I love and am thankful for Cash, younger nephew, too, but Kaylee is old enough now that she can be my little buddy. Cash is going to get there eventually, but he’s not quite there yet. The fact that she doesn’t bite me anymore is absolutely a positive.

This it seems like she has become more of a buddy than she has in previous years. She is only five, but she is now old enough that she’s developed a little bit of a personality and likes to hang out with me now.

This “buddy” phenomenon started to occur a couple of years ago where she developed this weird obsession with wanting to put on some boxing gloves and start throwing punches and kicks on my heavy bag. This went even further. I am huge boxing and MMA fan and usually have some kind of a fight going on the TV. Recently she has started not only watching them with me, but also requesting we put them on. This is a give and take relationship though, she does that with me; I have to do stuff with her.

This can be simple stuff such as pushing her on a swing or just catching her when she jumps off something. On a side note, here willingness to jump off things scares me sometimes. Her daring really puts me on edge.  This also can include, some guys may know this feeling, playing dress up. She can include her putting fake make up, or fake-up if you will, her tiara on me, fixing my hair up, or even wrapping me in a boa and having me parade around the house with her. We’ve even developed a secret handshake last month that she wants to do every time we see each other.

I’ve even taught her a few catch phrases. I’ve taught her the Kevin Hart punchline “Say it with your chest!!!” All I have to do is ask her “What do we say?”, and she shouts at whoever else in is in the room. It’s even been said to me a few times.

Also the famous catch phrase that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says, “Can you smell what the Rock is cookin?!?!?” Again all I have to say is “What do we ask?” She says it and then we do the celebratory booty dance.

It may not have been the most ideal circumstance, but I am so happy she was born. I can’t imagine a life were she’s not her. She has helped understand a level of love that I didn’t understand prior.  Knowing my luck with ladies, it’s going to be a long time until I have kids. Now she’s in my life, I have a comprehension of the love a parent has for their children I love her and am thankful that she’s here.