3 years from this day I remember being devasted for not being loved and remembered by people on my special day. People who hurt me or didnt hurt me but I was still expecting cakes and flowers.. My friend Nusrat Matin called to talk, I was crying.. she laughed and said ‘You earn, you are independent, why on earth are you expecting others to buy you those? Get ready, go out buy yourself a cake, eat and be happy’ 

It felt stupid but I did it.. and it made me feel a sense of love for myself. From that day on, I buy myself presents and surprise myself and love myself.. 

ladies, find your own happiness, care for yourself like you do for others you love. Because you only have ‘You’ and you only make your own Happiness. This is the meaning of true independence. I can only love others if I love me. 

 Happy Birthday to myself and wish you all great happiness created by yourself.

By: Nasrin Abdul Khaleque