Michelle and Barack Obama Shared Touching Throwback Pics of Malia for Her 23rd Birthday

Today may be the Fourth of July, but it’s also Malia Obama’s birthday! In honor of the special day, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama shared a couple of touching tributes to their eldest daughter.

“Happy Fourth of July, and Happy Birthday, Malia! It’s been such a joy to watch you begin to make your own way in the world with poise, grace, and humor,” the former president wrote on Instagram alongside a sweet father-daughter photo. “I miss the days when you thought the fireworks were for you.”

The former first lady shared a similar sentiment alongside her throwback pic, adding that she is “so excited” about what the future has in store. “Happy Fourth of July, everybody—and also, happy 23rd birthday to our dear Malia,” she wrote. “It’s been a few years since we took this photo, but I know that she’ll always be my sweet little girl whose big hugs and big heart always lift up my day. Malia, we love you, and are so excited to see what this year will bring for you!”

While it seems like only yesterday Malia and her younger sister Sasha Obama were running around the White House, they’re both growing up fast. Malia is a recent graduate of Howard University while Sasha is a student at the University of Michigan and turned 20 years old just last month. “It’s been a joy to watch you become the person we always hoped you’d be,” Barack Obama wrote at the time. “Your mom and I can’t wait to see where life takes you next.”

That may be true, but Michelle Obama joked she wished they both would “stop” while they’re ahead in a CBS This Morning interview last May. “I almost forgot that this year, this summer, they’re going to be 23 and 20. I mean, I’m just like, ‘Stop there,'” she said at the time. “I don’t even have teenagers anymore.”