Liam Payne’s family marked what would have been his 32nd birthday in a moving way.
Liam’s sister Nicola shared a photo from inside a bowling alley via her Instagram Story on Sunday, August 31, revealing that she and her loved ones were honoring the late One Direction star by taking part in a family activity.
Nicola’s photo shows various screens with bowling scores on them and features the names of some of Liam’s closest relatives, including his parents, Geoff and Karen, Nicola’s partner Nick and her daughter, Ffion. The scoreboard also lists “Roo,” for Liam’s sister Ruth, Ruth’s husband Tom and their son, Ashton.
“A year later, same bowling alley, different lanes … one huge part of our family missing,” Nicola, 37, wrote over the image, indicating that Liam and his family marked his 31st birthday last year at the same bowling alley.
Nicola previously opened up about the loss of her younger brother in an Instagram post on Friday, August 29, which would have been his birthday.
“A year ago today, we were so full of hope and excitement for what the years 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,” Nicola wrote.
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She added, “We ended the evening with a hug, telling you how proud we were and how much we loved you.”
“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 and hug you tighter, capture your smile and voice, ask more questions, and write it all down so I’d never forget,” Nicola continued. “I hope you’re happy, at peace, and know 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.”
Nicola concluded the post by wishing Liam the “happiest heavenly birthday,” adding, “Wherever you are, I hope you’re celebrating and hopefully you’ve scored a few strikes too.”
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Liam died at age 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires last October. He is survived by his family members, including son, Bear, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Cole and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy. (Cassidy, for her part, marked Liam’s birthday by making a cake for the late star.)
Liam was laid to rest in Amersham, England, in November 2022. The singer’s funeral was attended by his former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
