As you might guess: Uncle Brett and I have been best friends since I was 2 and a half. Essentially, we’ve known each other since the day he was born.

Prior to that day, I believe I was a happy only child: living the good life, comfortably spoiled with doting parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Then Mr. Brett decided to make an appearance on the scene. I pretty much liked him from the beginning (although he had this defence mechanism where he’d scream this seriously loud, high pitched scream if I was bugging him too much–it was like those crazy African bugs that screech when you get too close) and he had a bedraggled plush (and I use the term loosely) kitty that he used to drag around by its tail everywhere he went, which was seriously adorable.

   Over the years, we had lots of adventures together–the    kind I hope Sebastian will have with his cousin Ariel–and  though we’ve had our share of fights, we have always been  the firmest of allies, through thick and thin. This was true  even when he was bossing me around or acting like he  gave me half his sandwich and I owed him a favour.

 Sebastian. Please know that your uncle and I for many  years loved each other more than anything in the world  except for our mom and dad (your granny and grandpa).  Now Uncle Brett has his own family who he loves too, but  we still hold tight to each other when the world forces us  into “family mode”. Also remember that we also know  how to make the BEST TEA IN THE WORLD because  your granny and grandpa used to make us get them tea all  the time and we became top experts.

Most importantly, Sebastian, Uncle Brett is the person you should go to if you need to talk to a someone who’s not your dad, but who will really listen and really care. And if he doesn’t have the answer you need, he’ll find it for you. He loves you and will always protect you because he was your mommy’s protector once too.