20 Years of God Laughs

A Letter to My Nephew on His 20th Birthday: A Journey Through Time

Today, as I sit down to write this, my heart feels like it’s about to burst. You, my incredible nephew, are turning 20. Twenty years old. It’s a number that feels so big, so grown-up, that it almost doesn’t seem real. How did we get here? How did the tiny, giggling baby I held in my arms become this strong, brilliant young man? Time is a thief, slipping away when you’re not looking, but it’s also a gift, because it’s given me two decades of memories with you—memories that I’ll carry forever. As I think about you turning 20, I’m flooded with images of you as a baby, a toddler, a kid, and now, a man. You’ve always been the best boy in the world, a true blessing from God, a living embodiment of “God laughs” with your infectious humor and joy. This is for you, a love letter to the past, a celebration of the present, and a promise for the future.

 The First Glimpse: A Dancing Star

I’ll never forget the first time I saw you. You weren’t even born yet, just a blurry, black-and-white image on an ultrasound screen, but you were already stealing the show. There you were, bouncing around in your mom’s belly like you were practicing for the Olympics. Kicking, flipping, jumping—you were a little acrobat, full of energy and life. I remember laughing with your parents, joking that you were going to come out running. That ultrasound was my first glimpse of your spirit, your zest, your refusal to sit still. Even then, I knew you were going to be something special. I couldn’t wait to meet you, to hold you, to see what kind of person this tiny, dancing star would become. Spoiler alert: you were everything I hoped for and more.

When you finally arrived, I was over the moon. You were this perfect little bundle, with big, curious eyes and a smile that could light up the darkest room. I remember holding you for the first time, feeling the weight of you in my arms, so small but so full of potential. You were like a promise—a promise of joy, of love, of a future I couldn’t wait to be part of. I wanted to give you the world right then and there, starting with something small but meaningful: your first outfits.

 Dressing the Coolest Kid

I couldn’t resist going all out when I went shopping for you. I wanted you to look as cool as you deserved, so I picked out a jean jacket suit—oh, man, you were the sharpest baby on the block in that tiny denim ensemble. The little jacket, the matching pants, it was like you were ready to star in a baby fashion show. I’d put you in it and laugh, picturing you strutting around like a miniature rockstar. And then there was the Harley-Davidson outfit, complete with a faux-leather jacket and pants. You were barely able to sit up, but you looked like you were about to hop on a motorcycle and ride off into the sunset. I’d tease your mom, saying, “This kid’s gonna be trouble—in the best way.” Those outfits were my way of saying, “You’re gonna be a legend, kid.” And every day since, you’ve proved me right.

Those early days were pure magic. You were the happiest baby I’ve ever known, always ready with a smile that could melt even the grumpiest heart. Your giggles were like music, bubbling up from somewhere deep inside you, like you knew something the rest of us didn’t. I’d spend hours just watching you, marveling at how someone so small could bring so much joy. You had this way of looking at the world, wide-eyed and full of wonder, that made me see everything differently. Through your eyes, the world was brighter, funnier, more alive.

 Shoulder Rides and Silly Games

One of my favorite memories is playing with you when you were a toddler. I’d hoist you onto my shoulder, where you’d perch like a little king surveying his kingdom. You loved being up there, your tiny hands gripping my hair or patting my face. My favorite game was pretending I couldn’t find you. “Where’s my nephew?” I’d say, looking around dramatically, peering under the couch or behind the curtains while you were right there on my shoulder. You’d lean down, your face inches from mine, with this look that said, “What are you, stupid? I’m right here!” Those big, expressive eyes of yours were so full of mischief and intelligence, and I’d burst out laughing every time. You were barely two, but you already had a sense of humor that could rival any grown-up’s.

Those shoulder rides were our thing. You’d giggle and squeal, your little legs kicking with excitement as I paraded you around the house or the backyard. Sometimes you’d lean down and plant a sloppy kiss on my cheek, and my heart would melt. Those moments were so simple, but they’re etched in my memory forever—proof that the best things in life don’t cost a thing, just time and love.

 My Mini-Me: Shared Loves and Laughter

You’ve always been my mini-me, and not just because you’d steal my hats or mimic my goofy faces. It was the way you loved the same things I did, like we were cut from the same cloth. I grew up glued to cartoons like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs, and Looney Tunes, and when I saw you fall in love with them too, it was like reliving my childhood. We’d sit on the couch, you snuggled up next to me, laughing at the same silly moments—Bugs Bunny outsmarting Elmer Fudd or the Warners driving everyone nuts. You’d quote lines back to me, your little voice trying to mimic Yakko’s sarcasm or Michelangelo’s “Cowabunga!” We had our own little club, just you and me, bonded by cartoons and laughter.

And then there was your love for the Yankees. Oh, kid, you were born with pinstripes in your blood. Even as a tiny guy, you’d cheer for them with a passion that matched mine, waving your little fists when they hit a home run or groaning when they struck out. I’d put a tiny Yankees cap on your head, and you’d wear it proudly, even if it kept slipping over your eyes. We’d watch games together, you perched on my lap, munching on snacks and yelling at the TV like you were the coach. I remember one game when you were about four, and you turned to me after a big play and said, “Uncle, we’re gonna win the World Series!” Your confidence was infectious, and I believed you, because you made everything feel possible.

 The Library Kid: A Love for Learning

Your love for the library was another thing that made you so special. While other kids might’ve been bored by books, you couldn’t get enough. I’d take you to the library, and you’d toddle through the stacks, pulling out books faster than I could keep up. Picture books, chapter books, even those big, heavy encyclopedias—you wanted them all. You’d sit on the floor, flipping through pages, “reading” in your own way long before you could actually read. I’d watch you, amazed at how focused you were, how hungry for knowledge.

That summer you won the library’s reading contest? I was the proudest uncle on the planet. You were so little, maybe six or seven, but you devoured books like they were candy. You’d keep track of every page, every story, determined to come out on top. When they handed you that shiny certificate, you held it up with the biggest grin, your eyes sparkling with pride. I still have a picture of that moment, tucked away in a drawer, and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of your determination, your love for learning, and how you made everyone around you so proud.

School was where you really started to shine. You weren’t just smart—you were curious, always asking “why” and “how,” always digging deeper. I’d hear stories from your teachers about your science fair projects that blew everyone away, your essays that made them tear up, your math skills that left them scratching their heads. You had a way of making hard things look easy, but I knew how much effort you put in behind the scenes. You’d come home with awards for everything—academics, citizenship, even sports—and I’d tease you, calling you a “professional overachiever.” You’d just shrug and flash that cheeky grin, like you were saying, “Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal.” But you never let it go to your head. You were always humble, always ready to help a friend or share the spotlight.

 The Funniest Kid I Know

Your sense of humor has always been one of my favorite things about you. You’ve got this wit that’s sharp as a tack, and you’ve been cracking me up since you could talk. I remember when you were about five, and you decided to “reorganize” my toolbox because you thought it’d be funny to hide all my screwdrivers. I spent an hour looking for them, only to find you giggling behind the couch, proud of your prank. You looked up at me with those big eyes and said, “Gotcha, Uncle!” and I couldn’t even be mad.

Then there was the time you declared you were going to be a “professional dinosaur hunter” when you grew up. You had this whole plan involving a lasso, a skateboard, and a bucket of chicken nuggets to lure the dinosaurs. You explained it to me with such seriousness, your little hands gesturing wildly, that I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. But I loved it—your imagination, your creativity, the way you could make any moment an adventure.

Even your little antics kept me on my toes. Like the time you “helped” me cook dinner and ended up covering the kitchen in flour because you thought it’d make the pancakes “extra fluffy.” Or when you’d sneak into my room and “borrow” my hats, strutting around like you were the coolest kid on the block (which, let’s be honest, you were). I’d find you wearing my old baseball cap backward, striking poses in the mirror, and I’d laugh until my sides hurt. Even now, at 20, you’ve still got that spark, that ability to make everyone around you smile with a quick quip or a silly story.

 The Quiet Moments

It wasn’t just the funny moments that stuck with me—it was the quiet ones too. I remember when you’d crawl into my lap after a long day, your little head resting on my chest, your breathing slow and steady. Those moments felt like time stood still, like the world could wait while we just existed together. I’d tell you stories—silly ones about pirates or superheroes—and you’d listen, your eyes wide, hanging on every word. Sometimes you’d fall asleep, and I’d just sit there, holding you, feeling like the luckiest uncle in the world.

There were nights when we’d sit outside, looking at the stars, and you’d ask me big questions about life, the universe, everything. Even as a kid, you had this way of thinking deeply, of wanting to understand the world. I’d do my best to answer, but sometimes I’d just say, “Kid, you’re gonna figure it all out someday.” And you have. You’re out there now, chasing your dreams, asking those same big questions, and finding your own answers.

 Time Flies, But Love Stays

As I write this, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for how fast time has flown. It seems like just yesterday you were that happy baby, giggling on my shoulder, wearing that tiny Harley-Davidson outfit like a boss. Now you’re 20, standing tall, carving your own path. I look at you and see the same spark I saw in that ultrasound, the same joy that lit up your face as a baby, the same curiosity that drove you to win that reading contest. But I also see so much more—a young man with a heart of gold, a mind that’s always learning, and a sense of humor that makes every moment brighter.

You’ve accomplished so much already. From acing your college classes to landing that internship you worked so hard for, you’re making your mark on the world. But it’s not just the big wins that make me proud—it’s the little things too. The way you call to check in on me, the way you make time for your family, the way you still laugh at the same dumb jokes we’ve been telling for years. You’re kind, you’re thoughtful, and you’re one of the best people I know.

You’re a blessing, plain and simple. I’ve always thought of you as “God laughs,” not just because of your humor, but because you bring joy to everyone who knows you. You’re proof that the best things in life aren’t planned—they just happen, like a perfect, unexpected gift. As you step into this new decade of your life, know that I’m here, cheering you on, just like I did when you were a baby bouncing on my shoulder. You’re still my mini-me, my partner in crime, and the best boy in the world.

Happy 20th birthday, kid. Here’s to you, to all the memories we’ve made, and to the countless more we’ll share. I love you more than words can say, and I’m so grateful to be your uncle.

With all my love,  

Your Uncle