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Gone but not forgotten.
Liam Payne's loved ones honored the late One Direction singer on what would have been his 32nd birthday. Payne tragically died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Building the Band judge's sister Nicola penned an emotional message to her Instagram on Friday (August 29) reflecting on how their family celebrated his birthday last year bowling and looking ahead to what the future had in store, per People.
"A year ago today, we were so full of hope and excitement for what the year ahead would bring you. That night, celebrating your birthday with bowling and McDonald's, we celebrated you, your show, your dreams, and spoke of all the plans you had for the future. We ended the evening with a hug, telling you how proud were were and how much we loved you."
She continued, "If I had known that would be the last time I'd see you, I would have said so much more. "I wish I could step into a time machine and relive that night hug you tighter, capture your smile and voice, ask more questions, and write it all down so I'd never forget."
Nicola wrote that she hopes her brother is happy and at peace and "[knows] just how deeply you are loved."
"I miss you every single day, and I don't think there will ever be a day that I don't. So today, on your birthday, I want to wish you the happiest heavenly birthday. Wherever you are, I hope you're celebrating and hopefully you've scored a few strikes too. Love you always."
She also revealed that their family honored Payne's memory by recreating his last birthday, sharing photos on her Instagram Stories on Sunday from their time bowling, writing, "A year later same bowling alley, different lanes, one huge part of our family missing."
Payne's other sister Ruth also shared a heartfelt message of her own to Instagram, recalling how the family gathered last year to celebrate his birthday and sharing sweet sibling moments from the last time she saw her brother.
"It was just the 5 of us for your birthday last year, something that had rarely happened since 1D had begun and I was so happy about it that when I wrote your card, I misspelt your name as 'Laim' and we laughed I should address you this way in all future cards, not knowing this would be the last card I'd write to you," she said. "I've really struggled with thoughts today, I remember what I said as we said goodbye for what was supposed to be a few months, only now I wished I'd have said more, hugged you more, made you stay in England and then maybe today would have been exactly the same perfect day for you, but with you being here."
Kate Cassidy, the "Strip That Down" singer's girlfriend, shared her own emotional tribute to her late boyfriend while honoring his birthday by baking a cake from scratch.
"Happy birthday Liam, I know you still have the sweetest tooth in heaven," she captioned the post. "I tried my best here but it's the thought that counts 🙂 enjoy ! ❤️"