Dawn Images

You may be over cheesy birthday messages but Shaniera and Wasim Akram are still up for celebrating their love and memories with each year of growing older and wiser. As the cricketer rings in his 55th this year, his wife has made sure that near or far, he feels showered with love.

Using social media to express how grateful she is for being his companion over the years, Shaniera posted an adorable picture of the couple sharing a moment of laughter together.

"Heroes come and go but legends are forever! You truly are an inspiration to not only our little family but to the world. You prove that age is only a number and that it’s possible to keep getting better with time," she posted.

Adding that she feels he is younger than when they first met but wiser than before, she revealed how happy she is to be by his side.

"I’m so proud of the person you were before we met and the man you have since become. A true trailblazer, a standalone asset to this world and a truly remarkable man in and out of the public eye. You make me want to be a better human and teach me that the real meaning of happiness is by living in the moment and making every bit of those moments count."

The activist then lamented the fact that the two couldn't be together today.

"I know we are not together today for your birthday but you have made it seem as though we have never even been apart for a minute. I wish you a long life, a happy one and the more we keep laughing the faster the time will go till we are back in each other’s arms. You’re are and always will be the best thing that has happened to me. I love you now and for always," she wrote.

Wasim then replied to the wish with a happy message of his own, reciprocating the love and revealing how she gives him the strength to cope with the distance.

The Akram family has always given us reasons to smile during tough times. From wholesome content with their daughter during lockdown to celebrating their son's milestones, we can't wait to see them reunite and celebrate together.

With birthdays during a pandemic becoming small-scale, intimate and memorable in their own way, we're glad everyone is reflecting a lot more on their expressions of love, and what's really important.