Your Real Ones

Recognizing and Honoring Your True Tribe

Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and befriending so many incredible people. Each connection, whether fleeting or lifelong, has been a gift—shaping my experiences and expanding my perspective. Some friendships spark instantly, forming through shared adventures and deep conversations, making it feel like we've known each other forever. I’ve always felt grateful for these moments of connection.

But what I treasure even more are the people who have actually been there forever—the ones who remain constant, no matter how much time passes or how different our paths become. These are the ones who show up, who stand by me even when I drift or evolve in ways they may not fully understand. Their presence is a quiet, unwavering kind of love—one that has proven itself time and time again. And in recent years, I’ve come to truly appreciate just how rare and special that kind of bond is.

Birthdays are funny. As years have gone by, I have become more… selective. I stopped publicly announcing my birthday over a decade ago—no social media reminders, no big countdowns, no hints. And honestly, it’s been an interesting experiment.

Because every year, the people who remember? The ones who take a moment to send a message, call, or show up? Those are my people. My real tribe. And today, I am taking the time to reflect on each one and acknowledge their role in shaping who I am and infusing the love I have in my heart.

As I reflect on the people who have been constant in my life, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude. My family, first and foremost, has always been there for me—through every phase, every shift, every version of myself. And not just my immediate family, but some of my best cousins, who have been great friends to me over the years. Even when I strayed far from their vision of how my life should be, even when our perspectives clashed, their support never wavered. We have our differences, and we’ve had our fair share of struggles, but at the end of the day, I know their love is unconditional. That’s something I will never take for granted.

Then there are my friends from Toronto—the ones who stayed in touch long after I moved away. They were my chosen family when I lived there, and even with distance and time, they continue to remind me that true friendship doesn’t fade. Their love and support have never been tied to convenience, and that means the world to me.

And of course, my girlfriends from high school—the ones who truly taught me the meaning of friendship. Growing up, I had best friends here and there, but I never felt as deeply connected as I did with them. They helped me love my life, pulled me out of my shell, and showed me what it meant to be a real friend. I know I haven’t always been the best at keeping in touch. Life has pulled me in so many directions, and at times, I felt like we were growing apart. But despite that, they never let me drift too far. They always reached out, always tried to keep me in their lives—and for that, I will always be grateful.

Now, as I step into this new chapter—traveling, launching new projects, and carving out the life I’ve envisioned—I do so with a deep appreciation for the people who stood by me when I felt like I was at rock bottom. No matter where I go or what I build, I will always remember the ones who have been home to me.

This year has made it crystal clear who my ride-or-dies are—the ones who will always have a place in my life, no matter what. I feel incredibly blessed to have these people by my side. And while I know I’ve been caught up in my own world lately and haven’t always been the best friend in return, I intend to change that.

I wouldn’t be who I am today, nor would I have the love in my heart, without these individuals who have shown me unwavering, unconditional support time and time again. As I reflect on their presence—not just in fleeting moments, but throughout my entire life—I feel nothing but gratitude.

Moving forward, I want to be more intentional about nurturing these relationships. Whether it’s a heartfelt message, a spontaneous call, or simply showing up when it matters, I want the people who have always been there for me to know just how much they mean to me.

Back in high school, my girlfriends and I had a daily tradition—writing letters to each other during class and passing them along between periods. We’d get creative with bubble letters and colorful ink, pouring our hearts out about our crushes, how much we missed each other, or just how bored we were in class. And, of course, no letter was complete without being folded into every origami shape we knew. My favourite folding style was heart-shaped, of course! 😉 It was our way of staying connected, sharing our thoughts, and making each other laugh. Over the past year, I’ve been writing letters to them again, and with Love Day coming up, it’s finally time to deliver them. They are long over due, not just the letters, but my deep appreciation for each one of them.

If you’re reading this, take a moment to think about the people in your life who have been your steady foundation. The ones who have loved you at your best and your worst, without hesitation. When was the last time you told them how much they mean to you? Life moves fast, but real connections are worth slowing down for

Love is a gift, but it’s also a responsibility. And I, for one, don’t want to take it for granted any longer.

Enjoy your weekend, and try to find the time to show your ride-or-dies how much you love them!

One Love Always!