{ happy birthday, darren! }

Darren!
Happy birthday, babe!
Oh, how you deserve the world.

Do I wax poetic, or do I go the funny route with this?

You seem to think of me as always doing the former, so let's get this shit started.

I'm so proud of you. As a member, writer, and just a person in general, you've achieved so much. I've been watching you grow for the last four years, and I'm currently in my fifth of knowing you. Our relationship has always been passionate and strong, going through intense feuds that would range from seconds to weeks, and then having raw and honest chats that would make their way into the late hours of the night. We have a bond that I will never fear breaking, even in the moments where we walk away from one another. We've been through so much together that I know you'll always be a part of who I am — we've seen each other at our most vulnerable states, and there's nothing that could ever take my love for you away. You are intense in your ambition and your drive, latching onto ideas and holding them close with a fierceness that cannot be tested. You do not take no for an answer, running after your goals until your feet are raw and your chest is heaving, but you still only pause for the time that is needed to catch your breath. I believe that opposites attract just because of you and the fact that you never give up; my procrastinating, lazy self is always astounded and in awe of you. I look up to you not just for that, but for the way you never stop evolving in your style and prose. Your characters are dynamic and exciting, a fun read that can shift from lighthearted to emotional in the span of a paragraph, and your skills never stop their ascent to higher levels. When I think that I'm even just a step ahead of your abilities, you push right in front of me, keeping me in check and always letting me know that there's never a block to how far I can go in my writing. You inspire and encourage me, and I can only hope that I do the same for you. We're a team in every sense of the word, partners in crime who have been hand-in-hand since the start, and I know that I tease you and try to keep you on your toes, but Darren, you're my best friend. You know that, we all know that, and I'm so honored to have had the chance to befriend you. I lack at times, and there are moments that I cannot live up to you, but I will always try to give to you what you give to all of us. You are treasured and worthy, powerful and talented in every sense of those words, and your place in this community is cemented and vital. You are a part of not only myself, but all of us. I hope that no one on this site will ever have to go through a day without that sarcasm of yours. Thank you for being who you are — for sharing yourself with us. We're all so blessed to have you in our lives. Never change — but never stop changing, either. Keep running. There's so much further for you to go in your life, and I know that you're going to get there.

Thank you for reading all of that, sweetie, and I can only imagine how red those dimpled cheeks of yours are. I love you so much! 

Now, have some love from others who are just as sappy as I am! Kaplan took the time to put this form together and collect all of these responses, so let's send our thanks to her! ♥

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Happy birthday, Dars! I don't know you extremely well, but I hope that we can get know each other better, soon! I'd love to thread with you sometime, so feel free to send me a message. Keep up the fantastic writing and keep being you!
● Kaplan

Happy birthday, darsily! It's no secret that my GMs always crush hard on your tributes - because you write them so compelling. Can't wait to actually be IN an arena with you again, hopefully soon. But if you put Kieran in, I quit. Enjoy your birthday, ya filthy animal Xoxoxoxoxo
● Kay

Hapi Birtday!
● Anonymous

I love you and you should totally take me back as a husband. I'm totally over the goat. ALSO DAB DAB HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
● Arx, the ex-husband

Hayyyyy Darsily. You're super amazing and happy birthday <3333 thanks so much for all of your support throughout my time on the site. <333
● Puppo the Doggo

omg send nudes; ily so much even tho ur an aquarius so u probably do know what emotions feel like :'///
● rave

allo m9 happy birthday n'that mad ting hope you have a sick day and eat lots of cake innit
● from rook

dm me nerd. love you. let's thread pls
● Python

happy birthday dars!! i hope your day is filled with fun and lots of cake :))) have a good one!!
● bailee

Gdjaiecskwvap words can't describe how much I love you omg I'm so happy that we're married because we're obviously perfect together. Even thought we let others believ that we're always fighting I know how much you love me since I'm so perfect. I totally forgive me for all the times you cheated on me though it's cool. (But I'm coming for you rave/tristen xoxo) thanks for being the best husband anybody could ever ask for <33 honestly though thank you for always being there when I need you. You're the best xoxo
● your favorite [kari]

happy birthday! hope you have an amazing day :D
● Lyndis

I LOVE YOU MY BOY. boy. You're one of my oldest site friends, wow. i'm really glad we talk so much again! You're fabulous and the best but also a giant MEME. HAPPY MEME-DAY BITCH
● Elegant

Happy birthday! 🎉
● Unitato15

happy birthday love! i know we like never talk, but youre such a wonderful presence to have on the site. have a wonderful birthday dear!
● arctic

Happy birthday dars and may the odds be ever in your favour!
● Anonymous

Happy birthday dad ily x Thank you for always being there for me and putting up with my constant pestering asking you to write (I just love your writing so much it's almost criminal) x I love you and I hope you have an amazing day of birth and treat yourself to whatever you love doing or love eating because you deserve it x ilysm aza x
● Azalea

omg happy birthdar! I remember when you messaged me once and was like "let's be bffs" which led to snapchat and me falling in love with your hair and your eyes and how amazingly perfect you are. That was on the outside. On the inside.. you're just the same! You're an amazing person, and I love you very much!
● Mattio

HAPPPYYYY BIRTHDDDAYYYY DARSSSS! Two decades old, wowowowowow. I hope you have a fabulous day, legal to drink in one year! But you're legal over here ;) happy day of birth, mate!
● Frankel

i miss ur face
● Anzie