Today is my college friend’s birthday.
Even though I don’t know where he is now, I still want to send him my warmest birthday wishes. Some say we only search for people when they’re missing—but for me, that’s never been the case. Whether someone is near or far, if they matter to me, I make sure they feel it.

This friend was one of the few I held dear during my teenage years. We were close—not just in class, but in life. We shared stories, visited each other’s homes, and celebrated simple joys together. He was there during some of my hardest moments in college. Even if I didn’t share everything, he had a sense of what I was going through.

I love him like a brother—and maybe that’s why his absence still leaves a quiet ache. That kind of love is unconditional. Sadly, we lost touch somewhere along the road to adulthood, when life started handing us heavier burdens.

They say friends come and go, but to me, true friends are like family. My circle is small, but it’s built on trust. So yes—losing even one feels like losing a piece of home.

If by chance you ever come across this, I want you to know:
I never stopped hoping to find you again.
Happy birthday, my dear friend.