The year was 2004. Facebook had newly launched to the college crowd, Prince William and Kate Middleton made their first public appearance as a young couple on a ski trip and Gwyneth Paltrow had just given birth to her first child—Apple Martin—who turned a whopping 16 yesterday. (Nothing makes the passing of time more apparent than seeing people who were little kids just 10 seconds ago looking like fully grown adults.)
GP celebrated her daughter's birthday with a rare photo and sweet tribute on Instagram. "I can't believe I’m actually writing these words but... happy sweet sixteen my darling girl," Paltrow wrote beneath a series of photos. "You are the light of my heart, you are pure joy. You are wickedly intelligent and you have the best, most dry, most brilliant sense of humor. I have the best time being your mom. I love our nightly evening chats when I really get to hear what’s on your mind. You work hard to get whatever it is you want to achieve, and you have grit and responsibility in spades. I am so damn lucky to be your mother, you beautiful, kind young woman. Thank you for choosing me. I adore you to the moon and back a zillion times."
The comments section read like a who's who of Hollywood from Kate Hudson to Elle Macpherson and Kate Bosworth all sending their well wishes. (Our favorite comment came from none other than family friend Derek Blasberg who joked, "How much longer till Apple can take me clubbin’? Love you, Aps!")