A selection of texts to shorten distances and celebrate affection on January 30th.
Saudade Day is officially celebrated in Brazil on January 30th. This date celebrates one of the most complex and exclusive feelings in the Portuguese language: saudade. Defined as the mixture of love, lack and memory, longing manifests itself intensely when there is physical distance between loved ones. In the current context, where many live far from their hometowns or their loved ones, words become the main bridge of connection. Below is a curation of moving phrases and messages to send on Homesickness Day to those who are far away, organized by type of relationship.
Messages for distant family members
The family represents the basis of affective memory. When parents, siblings or grandparents are far away, the longing refers to everyday life and the moments shared at home.
- For parents: “The geographic distance will never be greater than the connection we build. On this Day of Longing, my heart travels to our home for a hug that the cell phone screen cannot convey. I love you.”
- For siblings: “Growing up by your side was the best gift that life gave me. Even though I’m far away, I miss you in the little things and the big achievements. Happy Missing Day, my eternal accomplice.”
- For grandparents: “I miss you with the smell of your food and the sound of your voice telling stories. May this day serve as a reminder of how fundamental your presence is in my development. I’m counting down the days until our reunion.”
- Generic for family: “Family is where our story begins and love never ends, no matter how many kilometers separate us. Today the longing is even worse, but it is just proof that what we have is valuable.”
Phrases for friends who live far away
True friendships resist time and geography. Messages to friends focus on loyalty and making sure the connection remains intact.
- Lasting friendship: “They say that nostalgia is the price you pay for experiencing unforgettable moments. I pay that price with pleasure, because having your friendship is worth any distance. Happy January 30th!”
- Humor and affection: “Technology helps, but nothing replaces our face-to-face conversations and laughter for no reason. I miss you every day, but today the longing decided to scream. Come back soon!”
- Reunion: “The best part of longing is the hope of reunion. That we can see each other soon to update stories and create new memories. You are missed here.”
Declarations for long-distance love
For couples experiencing long-distance relationships, Day of Longing is a time to reaffirm commitment and affection.
- Romantic: “Distance prevents me from touching you, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling you in my every thought. You are my favorite longing and the reason for my most beautiful wait.”
- Resilient: “Between us there are miles, but between our hearts there is an unbreakable line. Missing hurts, but our love heals. Happy Missing Day, my love.”
- Poetics: “Closing your eyes is the fastest way to travel to you. Today, on the Day of Longing, I celebrate the love that overcomes time zones and borders. I love you beyond distance.”
Famous quotes about longing
- Guimarães Rosa: “Saudade is being, after having.”
- Mario Quintana: “Nostalgia is what makes things stop in time.”
- Chico Buarque: “Saudade is a piece of me that I left there with you.”
- Miguel Falabella: “The longing doesn’t want to go forward. It wants to go back.”
- Clarice Lispector: “Longing is a little like hunger. It only passes when you eat the presence.”
Origin and meaning of the date
January 30th was not chosen at random to celebrate Homesickness Day. There are divergent versions about the exact origin, but popular tradition and literature have consolidated the date in the Brazilian cultural calendar. The word “saudade” comes from the Latin loneliness (solitude), but it evolved in Portuguese to gain a much broader meaning than just being alone; refers to the presence of absence. The celebration serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating relationships and keeping alive the memory of people and times that marked our lives. Unlike nostalgia, which may be just a vague memory, the nostalgia celebrated on this date has an active connotation of affection and desire for closeness. Keeping in touch, whether through text messages, video calls or letters, is the contemporary way to honor this feeling. Sending emotional phrases and messages to those who are far away on Missing Day is a simple gesture, but one that validates the existing bond and reduces the feeling of emptiness caused by physical distance.
