is not just a figure of speech,

is not just a way to make them feel better.

It is a phrase of the utmost sincerity that you wish that the other party was right there with you, at that very moment. Be it for that moment or for always, you just wished that person was just next to you. To speak to, to hold, to have a connection with.

If I could have a wish right here, right now, I wouldn't want anything else in the world but to wish, you were here. ^ ^