For S.

Hey S,

I'm sitting here in the dark in my living room. It's been 35 degrees the entire day, and now the sun has finally settled behind the buildings here, I can open all my windows to let some air in. But of course this means I can't switch on any lights, as otherwise I'll be eaten alive by mosquitos. So here I am, sitting in the dark, listening to the livestream of one of my favourite bands - Snow Patrol - killing it at V-festival in England. Do you remember me being so crazy about them? I still am, and a lot more since then.

Anyway, this weekend the Pukkelpop festival was on again and I remember how we used to say that it was always around your birthday and we wanted to go there one year. I've only been there once since, and it was the best festival experience I ever had. Last year the festival got struck by a major disaster, a huge storm made 2 tents collapse and took the life of 5 people. I hope you've shown them around up there. They were young people, called to heaven way too soon, just like you.

For some reason, this year everytime Pukkelpop was mentioned, I had to think about you. Maybe because of your birthday, maybe because of the accidents, maybe simply because I remember your passion for music, as intense as my own.

I have been thinking so much about you and I wanted so much to send you a message for your birthday today. Because S, today was such a gorgeous day and I just know you would have loved it. The sun was shining, I spent the afternoon picking blueberries in my dads garden with him and my grandad. Which is a little miracle as my grandad has been so sick and it's nothing short of a miracle as he's still around. It makes you appreciate these little things so much more. As I'm sure you know. We put them in a huge glass of Sangria and enjoyed a cool drink in the garden, playing around with the cat who was being driven crazy by all the honeybees buzzing around her head. You should have seen it, we laughed our heads off!

Honestly, I have no idea why I'm telling you all this. I guess that I just wanted to say hi and let you know that, though life goes on and on, you are still remembered in all the little things, especially on days like today. And that I wished so much you could have drank a glass of Sangria with us to celebrate your special day.

So here goes girl, happy birthday! I hope you had a kick ass day up there. We miss you... x