I Didn’t Expect That

Badman gangsta - Asake, Tiakola

I owe you all this.

I genuinely didn’t expect people to remember my birthday this year.
Not in a “I’m too cool to care” way.
Not in a nonchalant way.

Just… life has been loud.
And I didn’t make noise about it.

So when the messages started coming in,
the calls,
the posts,
the quiet check-ins

I was surprised.

Not because I think I’m forgettable.
But because sometimes you move through the world focused on surviving
and you forget that people are watching you with care.

Yesterday reminded me that I’m seen.
That I’m valued.
That even when I’m in my own head,
there are people rooting for me outside of it.

Thank you for every message.
Every post.
Every prayer.
Every “hope you’re good.”

It meant more than you probably know.

I’m grateful. Truly.