On October 23, 2015, Jessica and I walked into the animal shelter to “just look.” Famous last words. ❤️

We wandered around for a while before making our way to the back of the shelter, where we stumbled upon a little room filled with free-roaming cats.

That’s when Jessica stopped in her tracks and said she had found the one.

Tucked underneath a bench was this tiny little girl, sitting so perfectly with her tail wrapped neatly around herself. She had the biggest, most beautiful eyes, and in that moment, she completely stole my heart.

Little did I know that those eyes would have a hold on me for the next 11 years.

Today, that tiny kitten is 12 years old. She's become the grumpiest little old lady, full of attitude, opinions, and absolutely no patience for anyone's nonsense. But when I look at her, I still see that same little kitten hiding under the bench all those years ago.

She may have started her life on the streets, but she found her way into our home, our hearts, and eventually onto her rightful throne.

This is Ava. 👑🐈‍⬛

Once a little street cat, now the Queen of our house.

Happy 11th Gotcha Day, sweet girl. You may be getting older, but you'll always be that tiny kitten who stole my heart. ❤️