Viola Davis took to Instagram yesterday to celebrate her daughter Genesis turning 14. The Oscar-winning actress shared a touching message expressing her deep love and admiration for her teenager.
“Well… 14. Man, G, it’s an honor being in your LIFE! Being your mom is the icing on the cake. God blessed us to be on this journey beside YOU. Your spirit of authenticity, unbridled joy, empathy, intuitiveness, humor, and honesty is awesome to witness. You’ve taught us how to love actively and bravely. Welcome to 14. We. LOVE. YOU,” Davis wrote.
On Saturday, July 6, the Oscar winner posted a sweet mother-daughter of herself and Genesis, who was then 13. “Me and my soon to be 14 yr old. Love her soooo much,” Davis captioned the post, in a nod to Genesis’ upcoming birthday on Wednesday, July 10.
In the shared snapshot, the Genesis can be seen rocking beige cargo pants, a black tank top, black sneakers, and eye-catching red and black braids styled into two ponytails. Viola matched her daughter’s fly in jeans and a black hoodie.
Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, welcomed Genesis via adoption in October 2011 and have been raising her with love ever since.
Earlier this year, in an April interview with PEOPLE, the EGOT winner shared some self-love advice she’s imparted to her teenage daughter. “What I tell my daughter right now is, ‘Genesis, you are the love of your life,’ ” Davis said. “You have to start right now to have a radical love affair with yourself, to be in touch with your inner voice, what you like, what you don’t like, what’s crossing the boundaries, and you honor that. And through that, that is the seed where everything grows.”
Davis reflected on her own journey, emphasizing the importance of self-love. “No one ever told me that. No one ever told me that I was the love of my life. I just counted myself out. If I have to be small in order to build up a relationship, I’ll make myself small. If I have to sacrifice my needs for others — that’s a big one for women, we are considered stronger when we sacrifice our needs. I said, ‘Genesis, no, do not do that. You are the love of your life, you and you alone.”
