I laid down on my bed, happily tapping away on my phone texting my cousin. Today was the day of my 15th birthday party, and as usual, my cousin Chloe sent me a happy birthday message. Chloe lives in Dubai and about five months ago, she gave birth to her first child. Addie looked like a replica of my cousin: porcelain skin, dark hair and an adorable smile that could brighten anyone’s day.

The last time Chloe and I saw each other was three years ago when she came to visit me in New Jersey. While Chloe was there, she and I bonded over her teaching me how to straighten my hair, do makeup and organize my room. After she left, we kept close contact, especially when she became pregnant with Addie.

Suddenly the world stopped when I saw the next text.

“Wow! You should be her godmother.”

Godmother? This is a huge deal. No one’s ever asked me to do anything like this.

After a few months, I Facetimed Chloe again, watching in awe as she pointed the camera at my goddaughter. I was finally able to see her for the first time other than pictures of her on Facebook. With her eyes closed, she was peacefully napping on the cream-colored bed wearing a baby pink shirt with brown shorts.

“She is so adorable,” I stated as I continued to stare at Addie’s face, my heart filling with glee from seeing her.

“I know,” Chloe said as she ran her hands through Addie’s hair.

I began to think of what she’ll be like as she grows up. I know she’ll grow up gorgeous just like all the women in our family and maybe even inherit her mother’s obsession with keeping everything organized all the time.

Since becoming a godmother, I feel the need to be responsible; this doesn’t mean I have to act like someone I’m not, but I must act as a role model. I want to let my goddaughter know it’s OK to choose herself before being there for everyone else. Someone has to show my goddaughter the basics on how to survive in life and the things life will throw at her.

Even though I haven’t met my goddaughter yet, I want to teach her a few life-saving tricks, such as how to do makeup, pick out her outfits and teach her what type of jewelry looks cute on her.

I want my goddaughter to know I will always be there for her. If she needs anything such as advice, tips on how to make red velvet cupcakes or someone to teach her multiplication, she can always come to me for anything.