A Caregiver's Dilemma

I've been in this odd position for about six months now. It started when my niece, who is in her twenties, asked me to be more than just an aunt. She wanted a caregiver, someone she could look up to and rely on, without the romantic or sexual connotations of 'Daddy.' At first, it felt like a joke, but as we talked about boundaries and roles, I found myself drawn into this strange dynamic. It's not something I would have ever expected at my age, but here we are. She's the one who sets up our meetings, she'll call to say she needs help deciding on her career path or just wants someone to talk to after a stressful day. I've learned that being a caregiver can mean so much more than physical care; it's emotional and psychological support too. It’s been... enlightening, to say the least. And while I try not to take things personally when she needs space, there are days when I wonder if this arrangement will ever feel normal.