UPDATE: Maybe I'm projecting? But what if I'm right?
For context: Original post
Our niece now spends all weekend with us. We've developed a great routine of Fri night movies, Sat club soccer games, and cooking Sun suppers together. The guest room is fully hers. She's made some disclosures but we're continuing to not push her for info. My husband now agrees with me. We're going to talk with her parents about letting her join us on a couple of summer trips; though we'd be perfectly happy to have her all summer, we're trying to make it easy for them to say yes. She's already planning itineraries. Our main goal is just to give her a safe space and adults she knows she can count on, but it is amazing how much joy she bring into our lives.
She also made Mother's Day magical and almost broke me. She's an incredible writer and wrote me the most thoughtful card I've ever received and a hilarious poem. She also made me a gorgeous glazed ceramic vase (with a sticky note reminding me that I can buy myself flowers/no need to wait on her uncle) and said the gift was from both her and my furbaby. This kid is amazing, and I just want her to have the freedom to grow into who she is meant to be.