Joanna Gaines reveals son Duke's bittersweet milestone in rare family video: 'Makes mama cry'
Joanna Gaines knows all too well bittersweet family milestones don't get any easier no matter how many times you go through them.
The latest for the Magnolia Network founder is her third kid, son Duke, not only ringing in his 16th trip around the sun, but also getting his driver's license just in time for the milestone birthday.
In addition to the birthday boy, the doting mom and her husband Chip Gaines, who she married in 2003, share kids Drake, 19, Ella Rose, 17, Emmie Kay, 14, and Crew, five.
In honor of the special day, Joanna took to Instagram to share a glimpse of the family's celebration, from decking out her home in birthday decor to a clip of Duke driving into the family home.
The video montage the former HGTV star shared first sees her standing on top of her table, hanging plenty of blue-hued balloons and a birthday garland, and the table is full of gift-wrapped presents, plus a basketball, football, and tennis balls.
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She next shared a sweet selfie Chip took from the DMV confirming Duke passed his driver's license test, before another clip of her waiting at the end of the family's long driveway at their Waco, Texas home as Duke drove in.
"Third time doing this and it still makes mama cry," Joanna admitted in her caption, and fans were quick to take to the comments section under the post to ensure how much they could relate.
MORE: Joanna Gaines shares radiant selfie with rarely-seen children from sweet family outing
"I feel your pain," one wrote, as others followed suit with: "So beautiful & bittersweet, Jo... Never quite get over how we don’t get to keep all the moments — we just get to witness all the moments," and: "Hang in there mama!! It never gets easier," as well as: "I cannot believe you now have 3 that have turned 16! I have watched your shows from day 1 and remember how small they were!! Where has time gone???"
Aside from Duke officially becoming a 16-year-old and licensed driver, Joanna last year also saw her firstborn, Drake, become the first of her kids to leave home for college, as he enrolled at Baylor University in his hometown.
Joanna previously opened up about the emotions that came with the transition in a personal essay for her magazine Magnolia Journal ahead of his departure.
"In the grand scheme of heartbreaking things, this one comes with a lot of gratitude and excitement," she said at the time, though noted: "Still, my first child is moving away, and our family dynamic will change because of it, and that can feel like a loss of its own."
"I catch glimpses now of what that life will look like and wonder if –– or how many times –– that might bring me to the floor."
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