stillbecoming.studio

Date: August 1, 1968. Location: İzmir. It was a sweltering summer day.

On the night of July 31st, my parents had just returned home from an open-air cinema, having watched the classic film The Flower Girl. Everything seemed completely normal. They went to sleep, but at 5:00 AM, my mother woke up with sudden labor pains. Her firstborn daughter was a bit impatient—she was ready to see the world at just seven months. Weighing a mere single kilogram, Nalan arrived as a delicate, feather-light baby.

Fast forward through the years: true to the day she was born, she grew into a quintessential Leo. Head held high, with thick, curly hair crown-like and proud as a lion’s mane.

As a child, she was stubborn and willful. Throughout her life, deeply disciplined and hardworking. When it comes to responsibility, laziness wouldn’t dare step anywhere near her. Though some might misread her at first glance as an “Ice Queen,” those of us in her inner circle know the grace beneath that reserved posture. We know her massive, fiercely protective, and maternal heart—one that wouldn’t hesitate for a second to take on the entire world to shelter the ones she loves.

The two of us are as different as night and day. She is serious, takes life seriously, and remains calm under pressure; she is a safe harbor with clear boundaries. (And, of course, she is secretly hilarious.) I, on the other hand, am the wilder, free-spirited younger sister—always chasing independence, forever living in a state of beautiful chaos. An outsider might wonder how two such opposing forces stand so seamlessly side by side. Yet, within these differences, we learned to balance each other without taking anything away from who we are.

We lived in the same city for many years, and in different cities for many others, but whenever we needed each other, we stood shoulder to shoulder. We held each other up against the world. I was born into her hands, her son into mine, and then mine into hers… In our own little universe, we entrusted ourselves first to the Divine, and then to one another.

There’s a saying: You can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends. Even if she weren’t my sister, she is one of those rare souls I would intentionally choose as a lifelong friend.

Life rarely moves in a straight line. Sometimes it sways, and sometimes you have to rebuild from scratch. At one of those exact turning points in my life, her unconditional acceptance and grace became my ultimate sanctuary. She didn’t just open the door to her home; she opened the most peaceful corner of her heart. And she did it so naturally—making it feel not like a burden, but like the most effortless act in the world. I learned from her that the most exquisite gift you can offer a human being is making them feel truly home again.

Her unflinching poise against life’s wild winds softens into infinite tenderness and protection when it comes to her loved ones. Every time I look at her, I am reminded of the immense strength hidden behind that quiet elegance.

I am so grateful you hurried into this world on that hot August day. What a privilege that you became my sister, my shelter, and the quiet force at my back.

May this new age bring your dreams to life, surround you with endless joy, and echo with uninhibited laughter…

Happy Birthday, Nalan Yüce!

A Gentle Editor’s Note: My sister is usually the chief editor of everything I write. But since this piece is for her, I called on an AI assistant today. Please excuse any minor flaws—my editor officially has the day off!

With love,

Nazan

If These Piece had a Color : It would be ”Golde”.

If These Piece had a Song : It would be ”Harry Styles – Golden ”. https://open.spotify.com/track/3U5JVgI2x4rDyHGObzJfNf?si=f9047821d23d42ac

If These Piece had a Scen : It would be ”Chanel No5r”