I have never celebrated my birthday with my friends. It’s not because I didn’t want to; it’s because I couldn’t afford to. Ever since I was young, money has always been tight. I’ve watched as others around me planned parties, bought gifts, and enjoyed their special days surrounded by friends and laughter. I’ve never experienced that for myself. Growing up, I quickly learned that attending someone else’s birthday meant I would have to spend money on a gift. And if I had a party of my own, I'd have to reciprocate that generosity. But with empty pockets, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. So, I kept to myself. Whenever someone would invite me to a celebration, I'd find an excuse not to go. It wasn't that I didn't want to be there—I just knew I couldn't afford it. Each year, as my birthday approached, I'd tell myself it didn’t matter. I'd say, "It’s just another day." But deep down, it did matter. There’s a special kind of loneliness in watching the w...