Happy Auntie's Day!
When you think of your favorite family member, outside of your grandparents, you may think of your favorite first cousin. But after that (maybe even before), for sure you go to your favorite auntie. I do not think we celebrate the pillars of our families and Black girlhood enough, so this is an appreciation post and petition to authorize the eve of Thanksgiving Day as National Auntie Day. I have many aunts, but anyone who knows me knows that "Vette" is top on the list. The funny part about my relationship with my aunt Lavette is that I have never called her aunt, auntie, or any variation of the title. She's always been Vette or even Mookie once upon a time. However, this has never dimensioned the reverence I have for her nor the place she holds in my life. Lavette is my dad's sister and she is the baby of their clan of three. Her aunts say that she is the person who brought about a change in my grandfather and for sure she was her parents' favorite. To her parent...