21 Years of Light

A Birthday Tribute to the Friend Who Proves Anything Is Possible

Hello RCD readers

October 1st always brings a quiet moment of reflection, but today feels extra special. Exactly 21 years ago, back in our school days, I crossed paths with someone who would end up becoming one of the most steady, inspiring anchors in my life.

We’ve watched each other navigate completely different chapters, miles of distance, and all the chaos life can throw at you. Today, she’s a mother, a doctor specializing in her field after studying in Cuba, and one of the hardest-working human beings I have ever known. Her daily grind is unbelievable—working early morning to late afternoon, jumping back into clinic hours until evening, driving home late into the night, and doing it all over again six days a week.

Yet, if you speak to her, you would never guess the weight she carries.

Her resilience is breathtaking. She bounces back from every single challenge with a genuinely radiant smile and an infectious laugh that you simply can't resist. Beyond her work ethic, she has given me something invaluable: hope. She showed me firsthand that it’s possible to start fresh at any age, to embrace motherhood on your own timeline, and to keep building the life you want, no matter the odds.

Through different countries, years of separation, and the distance of a global pandemic, our friendship never faltered. We don't get to hang out as often as we used to, but whenever we connect, it instantly clicks. There is no pretense, no pressure—just a safe space to vent, laugh until our stomachs hurt, and feel utterly supported. She is that rare person who looks at you and genuinely makes you feel, "You can do it. You’ve got this."

To my dear friend on her birthday: thank you for being a constant source of positivity, strength, and love. I am so ridiculously proud of the woman you are. Here’s to growing old together, witnessing every new phase of life, and sharing another 21 years of laughter and unbreakable bond.

Happy Birthday!