Nate Berkus paid tribute to his late partner, Fernando Bengoechea, on what would have been his 54th birthday.

Fernando died in the 2004 tsunami while they were vacationing in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. The natural disaster occurred and swept both of them out of their beachfront hut, by the force of the wave.

Nate bravely revealed his story to Oprah in 2005. He said on her show that they managed to stay together through the rushing water, but were eventually separated. When the waves receded, Fernando was reported as missing and was never found.

“It’s been almost 15 years since the tsunami, when we lost Fernando. Every day I think of him, but especially today on his birthday.”

Fernando’s brother ended up keeping a lot of his artwork. See more here: